Many international soccer customs have found their way to America and been integrated into the North American game. Traditions such as dedicated supporters sections, organized chants, and intricate tifos now thrive across Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as other organized leagues in the United States, raising the authenticity of the atmosphere at match day stadiums. Due to the nation-wide growth of the sport in recent years, expansion in the MLS has become a possibility allowing for multiple clubs to co-exist within the same geographical location. These teams that are in such close proximity to each other have brought with them another soccer tradition, that being derbies. A derby is a historic rivalry between two teams that is the result of them occupying the same city, region, or local area.
This past weekend the soccer world was treated to the historic Manchester Derby taking place in England between Manchester United and Manchester City. This Friday the Hudson River Derby will be played out in the Bronx between Red Bull New York and New York City Football Club (NYCFC, coincidentally under the same ownership as Manchester City).
This derby has seen iconic moments over the 34 previously held fixtures between the two sides, with legends of the local clubs contributing on countless occasions. Who can forget the very first fixture where, Red Bull-great, Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals to defeat NYCFC on May 10, 2015; or the first NYFC victory in July of 2016 where soccer icon David Villa scored his introductory derby goal.
The two would be forever engrained in the lore of this derby with the game on August 6, 2017 cementing this sentiment where Wright-Philips scored a brace, but Villa edged his side over his opposition by recording a hat trick and securing a 3-2 NYCFC triumph. Red Bull New York hold the advantage in the overall head-to-head record with sixteen wins, while NYCFC comes into the game with three fewer at thirteen, the sides having drawn the remaining five.
This Friday will see the 35th edition of the derby played out between two sides that are coming into the game with similar form and only separated by two positions in the Eastern Conference Standings (NYFC being eighth ranked, while Red Bull New York currently stands in 10th). Both teams claimed victories in their latest matches, but this was either’s first one in their last six attempts. Their recent unproductive return on points follows much more promising starts to their individual seasons.
Pressure is certainly going to be on the youthful dynamic duo of Red Bull New York in Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti. Despite being only 18 and 17 years old respectively, the talent they have showcased so far this season has been undeniable. Neither have made a goal contribution in the last six matches paralleling the team as a whole’s performance over that time. With both likely to play a vital role in this upcoming match, there would be no better way to establish late-season momentum than registering a goal contribution on derby day.
A pair of Argentines on the opposite side of the pitch will be the two to keep your eyes on for NYCFC in Nicolás Fernández and Agustín Ojeda. They have been two of NYFC’s best players throughout the year with Fernandez leading the team in goalscoring (15) and Ojeda in assists (eight). Regardless of NYFC’s results the two are still consistently putting in outstanding performances and registering both goals and assists. Given the importance of the four aforementioned players, it is heavily suggested that any match viewer should anticipate pivotal moments from the game to run through them.
Recent evidence suggests goals will be scored as in the last three matches neither side has kept a clean sheet, something both club’s keepers will be looking to preserve. Over those four and a half hours of gametime a staggering total of eleven goals have been conceded. The two between the posts will certainly be at the forefront of match-deciding instances and rightfully so as they are some of the league’s cornerstones (Matt Freese for NYCFC and Ethan Horvath for Red Bull New York). There will still be an expectation of solid performances out of the shot stoppers irrespective of the number of goals scored in the last few derbies.
Derbies are matches supporters are locked in for regardless of the impact the 90 minutes has on the season itself. They are beautiful isolations of passion for your team and bitter disdain for your rival. A derby day victory can be a temporary cure to season long disappointment if you find your team slipping out of post-season contention and a useful talking point when debating a rival fan over the true definition of a successful campagin. This derby is no different and the playoff implications are massive with just two points separating the sides, a Red Bull New York Win could see them jump their opponents in the standings pushing them into and NYCFC potentially out of MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card Match contention. The context of this match is immense, the history between the two sides is plentiful, and the setting for the game is unmatched.
Within Yankee Stadium on Friday September 18 at 7:30 pm, the Hudson River Derby will be carried out. As the only MLS match of the day, this means if you follow the league vigilantly there is no doubt your full attention, along with those lucky enough to make time for it, will be focused on the Bronx. There is no guarantee which, if any side will reign victorious. The only guarantee is this edition of the rivalry will be just like all the others—absolutely unforgettable.
