New York City FC host the Red Bulls on Saturday evening in the Hudson River Derby.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Gustavo Guimarães, an accredited writer covering Red Bulls for Território MLS.
How long have you been covering the Red Bulls?
I’ve been covering MLS since 2020 and covering the Red Bulls exclusively since 2022 for Território MLS.
What has been your highlight during that time?
Alongside the friends I’ve been able to make, I would say from a journalistic point of view - breaking news regarding new signings is something that I'm proud of. For instance: I broke the news when the club signed and sold Luquinhas.
How would you evaluate the Red Bulls 2023 season?
Last year was disappointing overall. The club was able to retain much of the 2022 team but somehow the players weren’t able to perform on the field. Gerhard Struber lost the locker room and Troy Lesesne did what he could in terms of keeping the playoff streak alive.
What are your expectations for the team in 2024?
I didn’t expect the Red Bulls to have this kind of start to the season - with the team in third place in the Eastern Conference - but Emil Forsberg added some much-needed quality in terms of creativity while Lewis Morgan is converting his chances. So I expect the Red Bulls to go deep into the playoffs.
What do you think makes the Hudson River Derby so special?
Since New York City FC came into the league they became the main rival of the Red Bulls. It used to be D.C. United, but having a local rival changed everything. For me, as a Brazilian, I like the huge presence of opposition fans in the stands and the fire, that special passion that only a rivalry brings. It’s a match where you don’t play, you win.
What do you think will be the deciding factor in Saturday’s game?
Because both teams are in strong contention for the playoffs this will be a different kind of derby. I honestly don’t see an edge between these two teams right now. New York City FC had a slow start to the season but they started winning and their defense is solid. Whoever is able to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes will get the three points.
Do you have a prediction for the game?
The Red Bulls don't feel afraid about putting their strategy of high pressure up the field while playing away from Red Bull Arena. Despite the hard losses in Florida and Columbus, they have been able to collect a lot of points. I would say a 2-1 win for them it’s in my mind right now.
