Red Bulls and NYCFC Set for Epic New York Derby Showdown: Complete Match Preview and Bold Predictions
The New York Red Bulls are aiming to maintain their MLS Cup Playoffs aspirations when they welcome cross-town rivals New York City FC on Saturday evening at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
With an impressive 15-season streak of postseason appearances, the Red Bulls currently sit two points beneath the Eastern Conference playoff threshold, holding 43 points with three matches left to play, pursuing Chicago Fire FC, who possess 45 points with one fewer game completed.
NYCFC, on the other hand, are seeking to recover from a devastating 4–0 midweek loss to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, while aiming to secure a top-four position in the Eastern Conference, which would grant them home field advantage in the opening best-of-three playoff round.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the 32nd Hudson River derby.
What Time Does New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC Kick-Off?
New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC Head-to-Head Record
Current Form (All Competitions)
New York Red Bulls | NYCFC |
|---|---|
CF Montreal 0–2 New York Red Bulls - 9/19/25 | NYCFC 0–4 Inter Miami - 9/24/25 |
Portland Timbers 0–2 New York Red Bulls - 9/13/25 | NYCFC 2–0 Charlotte FC - 9/20/25 |
New York Red Bulls 0–0 Columbus Crew - 8/30/25 | NYCFC 3–2 Columbus Crew - 9/17/25 |
Charlotte FC 1–0 New York Red Bulls - 8/23/25 | Chicago Fire 1–3 NYCFC - 9/13/25 |
New York Red Bulls 1–0 Philadelphia Union - 8/15/25 | NYCFC 1–2 D.C. United - 8/30/25 |
How to Watch New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC on TV
Country | Channel |
|---|---|
United States and Worldwide | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV |
NYCFC Team News
New York City FC certainly didn't envision a 4–0 defeat to Inter Miami after capturing four victories in their previous five outings before facing the Herons. Now they seek redemption against their crosstown adversaries, hoping to elevate themselves back into the Eastern Conference's top four.
Costa Rican international Alonso Martínez tops the squad with 17 goals and two assists, but will be sidelined due to injury, placing additional attacking burden on summer signing Nicolas Férnandez Mercau. This could also mean greater dependence on U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Matt Freese, who delivered several spectacular saves against the Herons despite the disappointing outcome.
Prior to the Miami setback, NYCFC ended Charlotte FC's nine-match winning run, which equaled the longest regular-season winning streak in MLS history outside the shootout period. The Pigeons' achievements have also established them as one of the league's premier defensive units, allowing only 39 goals, ranking them 10th in MLS for defensive excellence.
"The objectives I embraced when accepting this role included competing for a top-four position overall," NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen commented following the Charlotte victory. "We secured our playoff berth, which is an achievement, but our ambitions extend beyond that."
Beyond Martínez's unavailability, Nico Cavallo, Malachi Jones and Keaton Parks are all anticipated to remain out due to injuries.
New York City FC Predicted Lineup vs. New York Red Bulls
New York City FC 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
While not officially a must-win scenario for the New York Red Bulls, it's remarkably close. Without securing three points, their aspirations of extending their MLS Cup Playoff run to 16 consecutive years would face serious jeopardy, as they would trail Chicago significantly for the ninth and final postseason spot.
Last weekend, both Designated Players, Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting delivered encouraging displays, reaching 10 and 16 goals respectively. The duo will enter the Hudson River derby with elevated confidence levels.
The Red Bulls will benefit from momentum and rest advantages in this encounter, along with assistance from former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, who participated in Red Bulls training sessions this week as part of his responsibilities with the Red Bull Football Group.
While Forsberg and Choupo-Moting spearhead the offensive efforts, the team also depends on their defensive foundation of goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and center-backs Noah Eile and Tim Parker, with Parker finding the net against Montreal.
Nevertheless, they'll require peak performances from all players if they hope to overcome a formidable NYCFC squad and preserve their playoff dreams for another week.
"Pressure becomes essential when you aim to deliver your finest performance on the field," head coach Sandro Schwarz explained. "That's been my experience…I don't discuss the playoff situation daily, and I'm not constantly talking about the derby either… I sense it every second and every minute, but that doesn't mean I'm constantly verbalizing it."
Regarding injuries, the Red Bulls will likely be without Cameron Harper, AJ Marcucci and Scotland international Lewis Morgan.
New York Red Bulls Predicted Lineup vs New York City FC
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
New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC Score Prediction
The New York Red Bulls enter the 32nd Hudson River derby well-rested, playing at home, and with desperation driving them; these elements should work in their favor when pursuing a positive result. Despite NYCFC being the superior side, expect the Red Bulls to emerge victorious from this clash, maintaining pressure in the Eastern Conference playoff battle.
Score Prediction: New York Red Bulls 2–1 New York City FC