The latest edition of the Hudson River Derby commences on Saturday when the New York Red Bulls visit New York City FC at Citi Field.
The Red Bulls have a narrow 11-10-4 edge over NYCFC in all-time regular-season play. The Big Apple rivals’ lone playoff matchup came last November, as the Red Bulls won 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
New York (5-5-3, 18 points) and New York City (5-5-3, 18 points) have identical records this season, and the clubs have each enjoyed most of their success at home. NYCFC has a solid 4-2-0 home record, while the Red Bulls are 0-4-2 on the road.
Following Wednesday’s 2-1 away loss to Nashville SC, Red Bulls defender Noah Elie said he doesn’t “think the mood is any different” for his team in its approach to home or road matches, despite the drastic outcomes.
“Even if we play at home our way, we have to have a consistency in our performances. I don’t think we’ve had that so far in most games,” Elie said.
New York City FC’s largest problem has been an inconsistent attack. NYCFC has scored only 13 times in 13 regular-season matches, well below their expected goals total of 21. The team’s 31.1 shooting percentage (50 shots on target from 161 total shots) is the fifth-lowest in MLS.
Lack of finish was again an issue in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with D.C. United. Alonso Martinez and Aiden O’Neill both rang quality chances off the goalpost, and NYCFC couldn’t score despite a 17-5 shots advantage (5-2 in shots on target).
“We know that we have to be more clinical,” NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen said, though he added the scoring slump “doesn’t worry me at all because I know that the guys are able to create these chances. It’s a matter of time if they start to convert them into goals.”
Martinez has six of New York City FC’s 13 goals. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting leads the Red Bulls with seven goals, including three in his last two matches.
Red Bulls defender Omar Valencia won’t play Saturday due to an accumulation of five yellow cards.
–Field Level Media
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