The first Hudson River Derby of the season is upon us, as New York City FC hosts rivals New York Red Bulls at the Yankee Stadium.
New York City FC have a daunting task ahead of some crucial games in a pressure-induced situation, with the latest challenge coming against New York Red Bulls. The Queens outfit is placed fourth on the table and is one of the favourites to make it to the Final Series at the end of the regular season.
However, they will come into this game on a high note, having won their last two games, both on the road, the most recent one coming against Philadelphia Union. Should they win the Hudson River Derby here on Saturday, it will be their second three-victory sequence this season, something they have not managed since 2022.
However, their record against their neighbours, the New York Red Bulls, has been a little appalling, considering they have failed to score against them in three successive games and have not managed a win since 2022, which came at the Yankee Stadium.
Sitting three points ahead of New York City FC in third, New York Red Bulls have the chance to go six points clear of their local rivals. Since suffering an untimely defeat against Inter Miami earlier this month, the New York Red Bulls have won their next two games, scoring four in each of those fixtures.
There is still a lot to be desired from the team if they aspire for a successful season, but they are on the right trajectory under new manager Sandro Schwarz. At this stage last season, they had managed only eight goals. But now they have scored 24 times in 13 appearances, which in itself shows the level of progress within the team.
Moreover, should they win against their local rivals, they could match their tally of away wins from last season, which was four. New York Red Bulls might want to come into this class as slight favourites, but they have yet to manage a victory at the Yankee Stadium since 2021, although they are unbeaten against New York City FC in their last three fixtures.
Team News & Tactics
New York City FC
For New York City FC, Maxi Moralez returned to full training after rupturing his ACL and was expected to play a part in the last game, although he ended up sitting out.
He could well be a part of the matchday squad this time around, and should the scoreline be more favourable, the manager might look to bring him on and give him some minutes under his belt. Meanwhile, NYCFC will have Strahinja Tanasijevic back in contention after serving a suspension.
Monsef Bakrar was able to come off the bench in their previous game after missing the one before that with a lower-body issue. Talles Magno was also part of the last matchday as an unused sub, with the duo likely to play a part at some stage of the game.
NYCFC will persist with Alonso Martinez and Hannes Wolf, both of whom scored on Wednesday and will have a place in the starting lineup for Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Freese; Gray, Martins, Risa, O’Toole; Sands, Parks; Wolf, Rodriguez, Fernandez; Martinez
New York Red Bulls
There are some injury-related doubts heading into the derby on Saturday for the New York Red Bulls, with Ronald Donkor missing the midweek clash with a back issue and Peter Stroud continuing to recover from ankle surgery. The latter will definitely miss the derby, while the former is also a considerable doubt for this one.
Further potential absentees for this clash include Roald Mitchell and Serge Ngoma, who also have doubts about their respective knee problems.
Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls manager made a bold call by naming four newcomers in the starting lineup in midweek. Kyle Duncan, Andres Reyes, Cameron Harper, and Elias Manoel all played a part from the start.
Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, and Wikelman Carmona could replace them, as only Manoel will keep his place among the four after his goalscoring performance against DC United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Coronel; Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, Eile, Tolkin; Edelman, Amaya; Carmona, Forsberg, Morgan; Manoel
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- New York City FC have failed to score in their last three games against New York Red Bulls.
- New York City FC have scored two or more goals in five of their last six games.
- New York City FC are on a two-game winning run.
- New York Red Bulls are unbeaten against New York City FC in their last 3 meetings.
- New York Red Bulls have scored 24 goals in 13 appearances this season.
Player to Watch
Alonso Martinez
Alonso Martinez has been in good form recently heading into this derby. The game against the New York Red Bulls is the kind of occasion some players can make or break their careers in, and Martinez certainly has the chance to make a big mark on many. He has had a very slow start to the campaign, missing the first four games on the trot.
However, in recent times, he has come into the manager’s thinking, and his goalscoring performance against Philadelphia Union will instil more faith in his abilities. However, he will have to showcase consistency, and there’s no better way to do that than scoring a goal in back-to-back games.
Prediction
New York City FC 1-0 New York Red Bulls
The two New York clubs have a fierce rivalry that could get intense in the coming years. Yet, considering their current form, the chances of them locking horns for a stalemate are high.
However, the home side may have the edge this time, as they could go level on points with their rivals on the table. New York City FC could make it three wins in a row with a victory over their local rivals, although this game has the tendency to be decided by a single goal or so.
