We enjoyed a derby day to remember at Red Bull Arena on Saturday and the reporters were out in force to toast the win.
We start out media roundup with a piece from the New York Times, entitled: “Red Bulls Herald Robust Rivalry, Then Cower Before NYCFC”
Columnist Filip Bondy reported: “The Red Bulls had promoted this match as a bitter derby, a Hudson River soccer rivalry — red versus blue — certain to manufacture a flood of passion and physicality. But when the match started, only one team appeared ready.
“NYCFC. displayed a precise high-press offense and controlled the midfield with Alexander Ring and Yangel Herrera while the Red Bulls futilely retreated into possession mode in their half of the field. It was enough to make the NYCFC supporters in the crowd, announced at 25,219, drown out the Red Bulls loyalists, taunting them with chants like “We can’t hear you!””
We think you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the full article here.
Elsewhere, ESPN FC listed NYCFC as the big winners in Rivalry Week in their weekly column.
Arch Bell wrote: “While they did get a win last season in a New York derby, there was a sense that this past Saturday's 2-0 victory in Red Bull Arena for New York City FC signaled a power shift in the Big Apple.
“NYCFC were clearly better than their city rivals, with Yangel Herrera and Alexander Ring dominating the midfield, while an organized, composed defense nullified Bradley Wright-Phillips.
“This was a far cry from the previous two seasons when the NYCFC back line was seemingly always a play away from imploding. Kudos to Patrick Vieira for a job well done here. New York is blue.”
Frank Lampard was present at the MLS Viewing Party in London on Saturday and he certainly seemed to enjoy the game - especially the performance of his former apprentice, Jack Harrison.
"I speak to Jack all the time," Lampard told MLSsoccer.com. "I think there a lot of big things to come from Jack. I like him, he's a great lad, great ability.”
“The first official MLS Viewing Party in the UK took place on Saturday evening as fans flocked to The Pilgrim Pub in Kennington, London to watch New York City FC take on New York Red Bulls in the first NY Derby of the 2017 regular season,” the story reads.
"The landmark event was a roaring success, with special guest Frank Lampard on hand to ensure all those in attendance were left to enjoy an unforgettable evening.
"There were around 150 fans at Saturday’s Viewing Party, with the majority of supporters in attendance there to cheer Lampard’s former club, New York City FC on as they sealed a first ever win at Red Bull Arena with an impressive 2-0 win."
Finally, James Sands became our first-ever Homegrown Player earlier last week and it was news that certainly made waves online.
The New York Post picked up the story: “It took a trip to Ecuador for NYCFC to know for sure they had a special homegrown prospect on their hands.
“James Sands, just 16 years old, with not a professional minute to his name, started for NYCFC against Emelec on Feb. 8 in one of South America’s most hostile environments, the newly renovated Estadio George Capwell, in front of 40,000 screaming and jeering fans.
“Friendly match or not, it’s the type of atmosphere that can shake the calmest vets, but Sands didn’t look the least bit fazed.”
