2025 MLS: NYCFC vs NYRB: Red Bulls Looking to Rule the Hudson River Derby
by Bradley Gibbs | by Tyler Doty

What happened when the pair last met?
This will be the first meeting between the NYCFC boys and the Red Bulls in 2025, but that doesn’t mean that what was a hugely unexpected and damaging defeat when the pair last met won’t still be fresh in the memory of the hosts.
Against the odds, priced as sizable outsiders, the Red Bulls triumphed at Yankee Stadium in the play-offs last season, winning by two goals to zero, thanks to a wonder strike from Felipe Carballo, before Dante Vanzeir, who has since returned to his native Belgium, wrapped things up. That was a costly defeat for the Bronx team, who had hopes of going all the way last season. Instead, it was the Red Bulls who made it to MLS Cup final, before falling at the final hurdle against the Galaxy.
Not a happy hunting ground for the visitors
Despite that big win at Yankee Stadium in the 2024 playoffs, the Red Bulls don’t typically do well when venturing across the Hudson River. During the 2024 regular season, they lost in the Bronx, coming up short by two goals to zero.
Prior to that, in 2023, they did manage to hang on for a tie, clinging to a 0-0 in rather defensive fashion, while they’ve actually won two of their last five visits to the home of their bitter rivals.
However, if we look at the bigger picture, we can see that Yankee Stadium isn’t exactly a venue that brings out the best in the team from Red Bull Arena. The New York Red Bulls have won just two of their last 11 away games against New York City FC, who’ve won seven of those 11.
Who’s going to bring the heat?
In terms of recent form, neither team has been flying, while neither side comes into this big clash on the back of a win last time out. In fact, both teams have lost since they last won, with NYCFC tying 0-0 against DC in the week, a result which followed a narrow home defeat to CF Montreal. The Red Bulls did enjoy success against a weak Galaxy side last weekend, but they couldn’t follow up on Wednesday night, losing to Nashville, going down by two goals to zero.
OK, so with both teams not exactly firing on all cylinders during the week, who is going to bring the heat on Saturday night?
Well, for the visitors, it’s going to be all about creator-in-chief Emile Forsberg, who makes the Red Bulls tick, there’s no doubt about that. If the crafty Swede plays well, the Red Bulls usually play well, and if Forsberg links up with Eric Choupo-Moting, as he did against Galaxy, then look out.
The pair combined for three goals last weekend, while Forsberg has eight goals and assists since the start of the campaign. Choupo-Moting, who joined from German giants Bayern in the summer also has eight goals and assists this season. If those two are up for it, then there’s every chance that the visitors could improve on their rather poor record at Yankee Stadium.
As far as the hosts are concerned, Alonso Martinez remains the biggest threat, scoring six goals so far this season. If the Costa Rican can hit his stride, then there’s a good chance that NYCFC will enjoy a good night, though we shouldn’t underestimate the impact that the hugely experienced Maxi Moralez can have. Getting lots of minutes this season, despite being 38, the former MLS Cup winner has played in lots of Hudson River derbies, which leaves him well-positioned to help the hosts here.