Sophia
The 32nd installment of the fierce Hudson River Derby is upon us, as the New York Red Bulls prepare to host rivals New York City FC this Saturday. This isn’t just about bragging rights; both teams are locked in critical battles for MLS Cup Playoff positioning, promising an electric atmosphere at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
Playoff Hopes on the Line for Red Bulls
For the New York Red Bulls, this match is nothing short of a must-win. Chasing an incredible 16th consecutive postseason berth, they currently sit two points below the Eastern Conference playoff cutoff. With 43 points and only three games remaining, they are desperately trying to leapfrog Chicago Fire FC, who hold 45 points with a game in hand.
A victory against their cross-river adversaries would keep their playoff dream alive and heap pressure on Chicago. The Red Bulls will be counting on their home advantage and the momentum from recent performances to fuel their charge.
NYCFC Aims for Top-Four Finish
Across the Hudson, NYCFC arrives eager to rebound from a stinging 4-0 midweek defeat to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Despite that setback, the Pigeons have grander ambitions: securing a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference. Achieving this would grant them crucial home-field advantage in the opening round of the best-of-three playoff series, a significant psychological and tactical edge.
Match Details: When and Where to Watch
- Location: Harrison, New Jersey
- Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Date: Saturday, September 27
- Kick-Off Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
- How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (worldwide)
Head-to-Head History: Red Bulls Hold the Edge
In 31 previous Hudson River Derby encounters, the New York Red Bulls have historically held the upper hand:
- New York Red Bulls Wins: 16
- NYCFC Wins: 11
- Draws: 4
However, the most recent clash saw NYCFC emerge victorious with a 2-0 win on May 17, 2025, in an MLS Regular Season fixture. Will history repeat itself, or will the Red Bulls leverage their home turf advantage?
Current Form: A Tale of Two Trajectories
Both teams arrive with mixed recent results, making this derby even more unpredictable.
New York Red Bulls (Last 5 MLS Matches)
- CF Montreal 0–2 New York Red Bulls – 9/19/25
- Portland Timbers 0–2 New York Red Bulls – 9/13/25
- New York Red Bulls 0–0 Columbus Crew – 8/30/25
- Charlotte FC 1–0 New York Red Bulls – 8/23/25
- New York Red Bulls 1–0 Philadelphia Union – 8/15/25
NYCFC (Last 5 MLS Matches)
- NYCFC 0–4 Inter Miami – 9/24/25
- NYCFC 2–0 Charlotte FC – 9/20/25
- NYCFC 3–2 Columbus Crew – 9/17/25
- Chicago Fire 1–3 NYCFC – 9/13/25
- NYCFC 1–2 D.C. United – 8/30/25
NYCFC Team News: Rebounding from Miami Loss
NYCFC’s confidence took a hit after their 4-0 thrashing by Inter Miami, a stark contrast to their impressive run of four wins in five games prior. Now, they must regroup quickly for this crucial derby. A significant blow for the Pigeons is the absence of their leading scorer, Costa Rica international Alonso Martínez, who boasts 17 goals and two assists this season and is out due to injury.
This places greater attacking responsibility on summer signing Nicolas Férnandez Mercau. The team will also rely heavily on USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese, who, despite the Miami result, showcased his talent with several sprawling saves. Before the Miami loss, NYCFC had notably snapped Charlotte FC’s nine-game winning streak, tied for the longest in MLS regular-season history outside the shootout era. Their defensive solidity is also a hallmark, having conceded just 39 goals, ranking them 10th best in MLS.
Head coach Pascal Jansen, after the Charlotte win, emphasized their ambition: “The things that I agreed with, taking on this project, were playing for a top-four spot in general. We clinched the playoff spot, and it’s a success, but we want more.”
In addition to Martínez, Nico Cavallo, Malachi Jones, and Keaton Parks are also expected to be sidelined with injuries.
NYCFC Predicted Lineup vs. New York Red Bulls (4-2-3-1)
Freese; Ilenič, Martins, Raul, O’Toole; Perea, Haak; Ojeda, Moralez, Wolf; Fernández
New York Red Bulls Team News: Klopp’s Influence and High Stakes
While not technically a “must-win,” this match carries immense weight for the New York Red Bulls. A loss would severely jeopardize their 16-year playoff streak, leaving them significantly adrift of Chicago. The team will be buoyed by recent promising performances from Designated Players Emil Forsberg (10 goals) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (16 goals), who are expected to lead the attack with confidence.
Adding an intriguing layer to their preparations, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp stepped in to lead Red Bulls training this week as part of his duties with the Red Bull Football Group, surely providing a morale boost and tactical insights. Beyond their star attackers, the Red Bulls rely on a solid defensive core, featuring goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and center-backs Noah Eile and Tim Parker, with Parker notably scoring against Montreal last week.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz acknowledges the pressure: “Pressure is necessary when you want to bring your best performance on the pitch. That’s my experience…I’m not talking every day about the playoff situation, and I’m also not talking now about the derby… I feel it every second, and I feel it every minute but it doesn’t mean that I’m talking every minute about it.”
The Red Bulls are expected to be without Cameron Harper, AJ Marcucci, and Scotland international Lewis Morgan due to injury.
New York Red Bulls Predicted Lineup vs. New York City FC (4-4-2)
Coronel; Duncan, Eile, Parker, Edwards; Carmona, Donkor, Edelman, Forsberg, Hall, Choupo-Moting
Score Prediction: Home Advantage and Desperation to Prevail
The New York Red Bulls enter the 32nd Hudson River Derby well-rested, playing at home, and fueled by desperation for a playoff spot. These factors are likely to play significantly in their favor. While NYCFC might be considered the technically stronger side, the sheer will and crucial circumstances for the Red Bulls could tip the scales. Expect a hard-fought battle, with the Red Bulls just edging out their rivals to keep their postseason hopes burning bright.
Score Prediction: New York Red Bulls 2–1 New York City FC
