Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting isn’t ready to slow down despite being the elder statesman of Red Bull New York’s roster.
The 36-year-old forward will be counted on by first-year head coach Michael Bradley to serve alongside captain Emil Forsberg, defender Tim Parker and goalkeeper John McCarthy as experienced veteran leaders who can positively influence a squad that is largely comprised of developing teammates in their early to mid 20s.
“I could be the father of some of those kids,” Choupo-Moting joked. “It’s crazy, but I still feel good. Age is just a number, and I feel very, very good. So I’m very motivated and looking forward to the new season.”
Choupo-Moting will turn 37 in late March. After turning in a club-leading 17 goals in 33 MLS matches last season, the Cameroon international is driven to do everything possible to improve New York’s standing in 2026 after the Red Bulls missed the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
Young players would be wise to follow his example, given his application in training sessions and healthy off-field habits.
“What I’ve learned during the years is to maintain my body, to stay fit, to eat well, to live good and to take care of my body,” he said. “I feel like last season. I feel good. Personally, that’s the first important thing, and then the next thing is how do we create an atmosphere of hunger and motivation for all of us to be better than last season and to achieve as much goals as possible.”
Choupo-Moting Is Inspired To Show Red Bull Youngsters the Way
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As a designated player and as the oldest player on New York’s roster, Choupo-Moting will be leaned on as a conduit to reinforce messages from Bradley and the coaching staff to a group of impressionable youngsters who are eager to soak up his wisdom.
“It inspires me and motivates me not only to help the young guys and to be an example for them that you can have a great, long career, but also to challenge myself,” he said. “Those young kids, they are hungry. They run a lot, and they see me maybe as an old guy, but I think we can see on the field and on the pitch that I’m still fit as well, and I compete with anyone. I don't care how old you are. That’s how they should see it.
“I know my role. I need to help them. I try to score some goals, assist some goals, but at the end of the day, the team performance is the most important. We know that we can do better than last season, but there were already a lot of positive parts. I think we have to play more consistently.”
Choupo-Moting Is Excited About Bradley’s Straightforward Attacking Style
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Choupo-Moting is enthused by Bradley’s tactics, philosophies and ideas to rejuvenate the Red Bull machine after the 2025 season ended in disappointment.
“The ideas he has – how we want to play football straightforward, attacking, intensive, I think everyone embraced that quite fast,” he stated. “I like that style of play, and we want to create chances. We want to try to win every game. I see a lot of potential in this team.”
The veteran attacker is hopeful ahead of the new season and believes that the mission statement of qualifying for the playoffs is possible.
“First of all, to get to the playoffs,” he stated. “But we will do it step by step, game by game. That's the most important, and like I said, because if we start to play consistent, consistently good, I think we will have a great team.”
Red Bull New York opens the 2026 MLS regular season on the road against Orlando City SC on Saturday, February 21. The Red Bulls will play their first home match on the following weekend on February 28, against the New England Revolution.