HARRISON – The New York Red Bulls (12-12-7) renew their rivalry with New York City FC (16-10-5) Saturday in their penultimate home match of the season. NYCFC took the first meeting of the “Hudson River Derby” this season at Citi Field, winning 2-0 on May 17.
After taking care of CF Montréal last Saturday on the road, New York still remains in the playoff hunt with the season winding down. But entering Saturday’s match, the Red Bulls will be tasked with a difficult assignment, one that could be embarrassing if they were to fall.
The rivalry between the Red Bulls and NYCFC is a well-documented one in the New York metropolitan area and in MLS circles. When these two teams play, it’s physically, aggressive, abnormal and exhilarating all at the same time.
For NYCFC, there are bragging rights involved for the club representing NYC’s five boroughs. With a potential season sweep on the line, “the Cityzens” want to make it four out of five vs their bitter rivals from Harrison. Additionally, while the Red Bulls cannot be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss, a NYCFC win would be demoralizing for Sandro Schwarz’s team.
However, even with NYCFC already clinching a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they enter Saturday’s match on short rest and with a disappointing mindset. “The Boys in Blue” were throttled badly at Citi Field Wednesday night vs Inter Miami CF, falling 4-0 to Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Coming into that match, City was riding a three-match unbeaten streak.
On the other side of the Hudson, the Red Bulls’ return to Sports Illustrated Stadium is a much needed one for them. With the international break, a west coast trip to Portland and crossing the border to play Montreal, it has been a while for them. Add on their last home victory was August 16 vs the Philadelphia Union and New York wants to make a statement vs NYCFC.
“I expect a very intensive game against them [NYCFC] and from the mental side, of course, in our home stadium, we have to be ready,” Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwarz told the press on Thursday. “We have to be ready in our open play, in our ball possession game. So that’s necessary against them, especially when they have the quality in their offensive transition.”
Including their contest Saturday, New York faces a tough task ahead when it comes to adding to their record 15-year playoff streak. Next Saturday, FC Cincinnati and Evander travel to New Jersey for the Red Bulls’ final regular season home match of the year. Then, after a quick international break, the Red Bulls head to Ohio to face the Columbus Crew on Decision Day on October 18.
If the Red Bulls were to defeat their arch-rivals, the margin between them and Chicago Fire FC would become closer. That is if Chicago falls to Columbus at home in what is also an important match for playoff positioning.
“It’ll be a super intense game,” defender Dylan Nealis said on Thursday. “Tactics might get thrown out the window the first five minutes and it just becomes an absolute war out there.”
Kickoff for Saturday’s match is set for 7:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
