Red Bull New York enters Friday’s showdown against New York City FC with an opportunity to overtake their rivals in the Eastern Conference standings.
Only two points separate Red Bull New York from NYCFC ahead of the 35th edition of the Hudson River Derby. Should the 30-point Red Bulls secure a victory at Yankee Stadium, it would move them above the eighth-placed Pigeons.
“Obviously, any derby is a huge game,” Red Bull New York forward Julian Hall stated. “We’re looking to build momentum, especially towards playoffs, and this is a big game for us.”
Honors were even last time these sides squared off in a 1-1 draw back on May 16 in Harrison.
Mohammed Sofo on the Importance of the Hudson River Derby: ‘The Game Speaks for Itself’
Red Bull New York midfielder Mohammed Sofo understands the importance of a match that means so much to the supporters and the club itself.
“Honestly, when you mention the derby, I think the game speaks for itself,” Sofo said during Thursday’s press conference. “This is the type of game you want to play. Personally, I’m excited. We’ve been working a lot from the beginning of the week, and we are ready for it.”
Red Bull New York Head Coach Michael Bradley expects a big challenge on the pitch between the players and in the touchline battle of wits with opposite number Pascal Jansen.
“Generally speaking, when we watch them, we see a very good team,” Bradley explained. “We see a very good team with a lot of quality, a lot of good players, a lot of players that in tight spaces combine well, and they still then mix up the part of having guys who can easily run behind.
“I think that Pascal Jansen has done a really good job putting all of that together, and so we know obviously from the two games against them so far this year. We have big respect for them and know that they’re a good team with a lot of talented players, and we’re excited for a big night.”
Thiago Martins: The Derby Is All About Preparation
New York City FC captain Thiago Martins spoke of the importance of his squad being fully prepared for the Hudson River Derby.
“We know it’s a derby,” Martins said. “We know how important these games are. They feel different because it’s a derby, but we need to prepare ourselves the best way to play against them. Simple as that.”
Both teams earned road victories last weekend, so it feels like there’s very little separating these long-standing rivals.
Ronald Donkor’s dramatic 89th-minute goal lifted the Red Bulls to a 1-0 victory last Saturday in Columbus.
NYCFC defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 last Saturday behind goals from Nicolás Fernández Mercau and Luighi.
Red Bull New York and NYCFC Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Friday’s Match
It’s unclear whether Justin Che or Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty will take part in Friday’s contest. Though both defenders are listed as questionable, neither took part in training when South Ward Central visited RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center on Wednesday and Thursday.
UPDATE: 6:35 PM ET:
Red Bull New York announced the following starting XI. vs. New York City FC:
Horvath, Nealis (C), Bazan, Parker, Dos Santos, Donkor, Mehmeti, Sofo, Harper, Hall, Cowell.
Substitutes: McCarthy, Choupo-Moting, Forsberg, Kone, Nelich, Padelford, Ruiz, Ruvalcaba, Voloder.
QUESTIONABLE: Justin Che (ankle), Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (hamstring)
Midfielder Sekou Kone was added from Red Bull II on a short-term agreement ahead of tonight’s match. Earlier in the day, winger Dennis Nelich signed a one-and-a-half-year MLS contract as a homegrown player that includes options for three further seasons.
Six NYCFC players are confirmed to miss the derby due to leg injuries.
UPDATE: 6:30 PM ET:
New York City FC announced the following starting XI. vs. Red Bull New York:
Cavallo, Sands, Nico, Perea, Thiago Martins (C), Wolf, Luighi, O’Neill, Gray, Ojeda, Freese
Substitutes: Traore, Martinez, O’Toole, Murray, Romero, Shore, Gustavo, Ilenic, Jones
OUT: Drew Baiera (leg), Arnau Farnós (leg), Talles Magno (leg), Maxi Moralez (leg), Keaton Parks (leg), Kai Trewin (leg)
Friday’s contest is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Callum Williams will call English play-by-play on Apple TV alongside Calen Carr, while Alejandro Figueredo and Tony Cherchi will provide Spanish-language coverage.
Check back closer to kickoff for updated lineup information including the starting XIs for both sides.
Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley will be on the call on Red Bulls Radio starting at 7 p.m. Eastern Time with “Countdown to Kickoff.”
If you enjoyed this story, please consider supporting independent, local soccer journalism by buying me a coffee.
More Red Bull New York Coverage
Enjoyed this story? Follow us for the latest updates! | Bluesky | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Leave a Reply