New York City FC completed a memorable double over Red Bulls with a 2-0 victory at Yankee Stadium. First-half goals from Alex Callens and Santiago Rodríguez – the first within a minute – claimed a deserved win in the Hudson River Derby, clinching two league wins from two against Gerhard Struber’s side. The triumph moved City to within a point of our rivals and within touching distance of a playoff place.
New York City FC 2 NY Red Bulls 0
The 21st edition of the Derby saw third and fourth place in the Eastern Conference go head-to-head. City new they could book a playoff spot this weekend, dependent on results elsewhere.
The home side headed into the clash boasting the bragging rights, following July’s 1-0 win at Red Bull Arena, and reinvigorated from Wednesday night’s historic Campeones Cup triumph.
Interim Head Coach Nick Cushing made two changes to the team that triumphed over Atlas F.C. Captain Sean Johnson and Talles Magno were restored in place of Luis Barraza and the injured Héber. Despite concerns over his availability, Maxime Chanot also started the game. Anton Tinnerholm made a welcome return to the bench.
First Half Double For New York City FC
Cushing had called upon the bumper home crowd of 30,151 to replicate the electric atmosphere of the midweek Cup Final. The decibels cranked up a notch with the Boys in Blue breaking the deadlock with less than minute played.
As was the case on Wednesday, it was Callens with the early opener. He recorded the fastest goal ever scored in the fixture, courtesy of another set-piece. The Defender nodded home from close range after just 50 seconds from Rodriguez’s delivery. A dream start.
Brazilian Slip
The home side looked to be clean through on 20 minutes. Nico Acevedo looked to play Gabriel Pereira in, only for the Brazilian to slip on the chase. The hosts would not have to wait much longer to double the lead. Another set piece reached Rodriguez who slid the ball home from close range.
Rodríguez could have added to either his goal or assist tally a matter of minutes later. Caught in two minds, he opted to square rather than shoot and the cross was hacked away. Causing havoc for the Red Bulls, he then won a free-kick, which Moralez curled over the bar.
The visitors thought they had halved the deficit before the break, only for VAR to rule Elias Manoel’s rebound out for offside after Aaron Long’s header had bounced back off the post. The away side pressed for a route back into the contest. Cristian Cásseres Jr had already gone close with a deflected effort, Daniel Edelman then drilled off-target, as New York preserved a two-goal cushion heading into halftime.
Second Half
The second half bore far fewer chances for both sides. Desperate for a goal, Red Bulls carved more of the goalmouth but did little to really trouble the City defense.
Johnson was called into action eight minutes after the restart, diving bravely at the feet of Manoel, in their best chance of breaching the backline, before Caden Clark smashed high into the stands.
Long and Omir Fernandez would also see attempts suffer the same fate, while Moralez went close in search of a late third to add further gloss to the scoreline.
In what would be another special night at Yankee Stadium, the hosts held firm to cruise to a precious three points, retaining the local bragging rights and inching closer to the playoffs with a spot all but secured.
