The first Hudson River Derby of the season is upon us…Â
New York City Football Club travel to Red Bulls this weekend, as the two sides meet for the first time in 2023.
Ahead of the trip to Red Bull Arena, we Flashback to three memorable victories over our neighbors…
Behind Enemy Lines
A first triumph on New Jersey soil…
Having claimed our first win over Red Bulls the previous July – a 2-0 home success at Yankee Stadium – the Boys in Blue clinched our first three points at Red Bull Arena with the same scoreline almost a year later.
The two sides had locked horns ten days earlier in the US Open Cup, and the Boys in Blue were looking to set things right from a narrow defeat.
After a pulsating opening half-hour, the City Boys struck through Jack Harrison’s fabulous first-time finish – a delightful looping effort from Ben Sweat’s cutback.
Leading in NJ for the first time, NYCFC went close to doubling the lead, as Yangel Herrera drew smart stops from Luis Robles either side of the break.
City would extend the advantage midway through the second half, as Sweat bagged his first MLS goal, nodding home Alex Ring’s free-kick from a seemingly impossible angle – what a time to open your account!
The visitors held on for a historic and memorable win, as well as the local bragging rights.
Taty’s Treble
A night to remember… Five goals, a hat-trick, and our biggest ever Hudson River Derby win!
The 16th edition of the New York vs. Red Bulls series proved one that will live long in the memory for all in Bronx Blue, especially hat-trick hero Taty Castellanos.
The forward netted a terrific treble – his first for the Club – to inspire the City Boys to success at a rain-soaked Yankee Stadium, breaking the deadlock after just 12 minutes and bagging twice late on to steer the hosts to a sensational victory.
The Argentine put the Boys in Blue ahead, powering home Maxi Moralez’s pinpoint delivery with a fine header, before Brian White leveled with a low drive six minutes later.
Cristian Cásseres Jr.’s deflected effort then turned the game on its head, but NYCFC rallied to restore the advantage with a stunning fightback.
Castellanos turned provider to level the score, playing a neat through-ball into Gary Mackay-Steven for the Scotsman to make it 2-2 before the break.
Riding the momentum and roused by their half-time team-talk, New York stormed to victory with a stunning second half display.
Ring restored the home side’s lead with an unstoppable rocket off the crossbar five minutes after the restart, and Castellanos made sure of the points with a brilliant seven-minute brace – his second of the night a sublime chest-and-volley, and his hat-trick completed from the penalty spot.
An unforgettable evening in the Bronx, as NYCFC made history, and extended an impressive unbeaten run to six at home in the Hudson River Derby.
Spirited Away
One goal to win it…
The points and local pride were up for grabs once again when City crossed the water in July 2022.
With our last Derby triumph that superb five-goal thumping two seasons prior, the Boys in Blue were looking to regain the bragging rights, and achieved the feat with another triumph on NJ turf.
NYCFC emerged victorious from Red Bull Arena for the second time, thanks to a solitary second-half strike – another Castellanos classic.
In another entertaining affair, both sides had carved chances to draw first blood. Castellanos had gone close himself with an outrageous overhead kick, but the Argentine would not be denied just three minutes later, sliding in to convert Santiago RodrÃguez’s floated delivery on the volley with the outside of his boot!
Though the win could have been more comfortable with City pressing for a second goal, one would be enough – and the Boys in Blue would go on to sweep the season series against Red Bulls for the first time, courtesy of a 2-0 home victory in September. New York is Blue!
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