About the New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls Rivalry
By
Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer Updated: 22 January 2024
Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer
Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls – A New MLS Rivalry
- History & Previous Meetings
- New York City FC Memorable Moments
- New York City FC Form and Season
- New York Red Bulls Memorable Moments
- New York Red Bulls Form and Season
New York City FC and New York Red Bulls, the two clubs based in the New York metropolitan area, feature in the high-octane Hudson River Derby. It is one of the most intense rivalries in Major League Soccer (MLS) history and is characterized by exciting matches and passionate fan bases.
The fans from both clubs create a vibrant atmosphere, and tension, trash talk, and banter are often displayed during the derby. Players and coaches have also repeatedly engaged in verbal spats, further fueling the fire ignited by this rivalry.
The matchups between the two teams have been intense and closely contested, featuring dramatic moments, including injury-time winners and extra-ordinary turnarounds, producing thrilling contests every season.
History & Previous Meetings
The mercurial rivalry began after the two rivals clashed for the first time in 2015. New York Red Bulls defeated New York City 2-1 in their first meeting and dominated the early seasons of the rivalry.
| Competition | Matches | NYCFC Wins | NYRB Wins | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS | 23 | 8 | 11 | 4 |
| US Open Cup | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Leagues Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| All Competitions | 27 | 8 | 15 | 4 |
One of their fixtures was called ‘The Red Wedding,’ where the Red Bulls clinched a stunning 7-0 victory. However, New York City gained momentum after that match and clinched three straight league game wins in 2017.
New York City FC Memorable Moments
New York City FC have registered numerous memorable wins against their arch-rivals. One such victory was recorded in July 2016, when New York City blanked the New York Red Bulls 2-0. It was a significant victory as it marked the first-ever win for New York City in the MLS, thanks to the brilliance of David Villa and Patrick Vieira.
In 2017, New York City FC clinched a 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls in a tightly contested match. Villa bagged the winner in the 75th minute and added to the intensity of the rivalry.
In 2021, New York City won a closely fought contest 1-0. The victory was significant as it extended their recent success rate in the rivalry and displayed their resilience in tightly-fought contests. This also impacted their odds at NY sports betting apps
The clubs faced off in a seven-goal thriller in 2020, where the Cityzens beat the Bulls 5-2, making it a memorable encounter for the NYCFC fans.
New York City FC Form and Season
New York City FC featured in the top-tier North American soccer league for the ninth consecutive season when they featured in the 2023 MLS season. The club divided its home games between the Yankee Stadium and Citi Field. They started their campaign with a disappointing 2-0 loss against Nashville SC.
The club finished the season in the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference of the MLS and 22nd overall after securing merely 41 points after nine wins, 14 draws, and 11 losses in 34 matches. As a result, New York City FC failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs for the first time since their debut season in 2015.
New York Red Bulls Memorable Moments
The New York Red Bulls have enjoyed their fair share of dominating runs against the New York City FC. One of their victories by the biggest margin was registered in 2016 when the Bulls thrashed the Cityzens 7-0 in the Hudson River derby. The lopsided match left a lasting impression on the rivalry.
A year later, New York Red Bulls secured a 1-0 victory over New York City FC, thanks to a lone goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips, who has been instrumental in the Red Bulls’ success against their rivals over the years.
In 2018, the Bulls clinched a comprehensive 4-0 victory over their rivals in two club competitions. In May, NYRB blanked NYCFC at home in the MLS, and just a month later, the Cityzens were dumped out of the 2018 US Open Cup after another humiliating defeat in the Bulls’ backyard.
New York Red Bulls Form and Season
The New York Red Bulls were formerly known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars from 1994 to 2006. This season, the club saw managerial changes in the season when Gerhard Struber mutually parted ways with the club along with assistant coach Bernard Kibler. Troy Lesense took over from Struber after being elevated to the intern head coach position from his role as assistant manager.
The club finished at the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference and 17th overall, advancing to the MLS Playoffs after recording 11 wins, ten draws, and 13 losses from 34 fixtures. They qualified for the playoffs for a record 14th season and were featured at the best MLS betting sites.
The New York Red Bulls lost 7-8 to FC Cincinnati in penalties to exit the MLS Playoffs in the first round after beating Charlotte FC 5-2 in the Wildcard encounter.
