EXT. HARRISON, NJ – FRIDAY NIGHT
The final Hudson River Derby of the MLS Regular Season kicks off at Red Bull Arena at 7pm.
Patrick Vieira’s NYCFC are going for a joint club record fourth win in a row to complete the sweep over their neighbors, while Red Bulls are looking to salvage some local pride.
It’s going to be another epic showdown but what have our rivals been up to since that last clash?
Key Stats
- After winning the first four regular season Hudson River Derbies, the Red Bulls have lost three of the last four, including both played this year.
- The Red Bulls have played 12 home games this year (8W-2D-2L), and NYCFC are one of two teams to beat them (along with the LA Galaxy) and one of two teams to shut them out (along with Real Salt Lake).
- City has lost three of their last five away league games (2W, including away to the Red Bulls). In all three losses, City conceded at least three goals (10 total), while both wins were by a 2-0 scoreline.
- NYCFC had less shots on target than New England last weekend, the fourth time in their last five league matches that the opposition has had more shots on target than NYCFC. Prior to that, they had more (or an equal amount) of shots on target than their opponents for 10 consecutive games.
- The Red Bulls have conceded six penalty goals, the second most of any team in MLS entering Wednesday. NYCFC have scored four penalty goals this year, tied for sixth most in the league entering Wednesday.
- NYCFC have only conceded four goals in the last 15 minutes of league matches this year, tied with Atlanta and FC Dallas for the fewest of any team in the league entering Wednesday.
- NYCFC have won nine of the 11 games that Yangel Herrera has started this year (1L-1D) and have averaged 2.4 goals per game in those matches. They have won five of the 14 games Herrera has not started, and average 1.5 goals per game when Herrera is not in the lineup.
- David Villa had six shots against New England last weekend. It was the seventh time this season he has had at least six shots in a game, and he is the only NYCFC player to take at least six shots in a game.
- The Red Bulls averaged 5.3 shots on target per game in Jesse Marsch’s first season, 5.1 in his second, and are averaging 4.8 so far this season.
READ: Tommy McNamara on Hudson River Derby Vol.3
The Last Time
Of course, we beat Red Bulls 3-2 in the last meeting between the teams but it was 2-0 last time we ventured over the river.
Jack Harrison and Ben Sweat scored the goals as Vieira’s men tasted victory at Red Bull Arena for the first time ever.
Top Scorer
Bradley Wright-Phillips (14)
BWP continued his incredible Hudson River Derby record with two more goals at Yankee Stadium last time these teams met.
It wasn’t enough to help secure any points but the Englishman did show what a dangerman he is in the penalty box.
Wright-Phillips currently has 14 MLS goals for the season, five short of David Villa who leads the Golden Boot race.
Recent Form
Red Bulls lost to Portland Timbers in their last encounter but had been on a good run before that, defeating Orlando convincingly in the game before.
That followed the defeat to NYCFC which was their first in four MLS games.
