The New York Red Bulls 2016 season carried a lot of promise into the opening match against Toronto FC. The team was coming off of its 2nd Supporters' Shield in 3 years. They had the core of their 2015 team back for 2016, and seemed to fill in the gap of central defense that opened with the departure of Matt Miazga. Toronto had other ideas though, and played spoiler to the Red Bulls first home season opener since 2011.
The Red Bulls came out they way they played in 2015, pressing high up the field, but with a twist of a 4-2-2-2 formation where Mike Grella played up top with Bradley Wright-Phillips.