New York Red Bulls to run riot in first Hudson River Derby of 2018
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Since New York City FC joined Major League Soccer in 2015, their city rival New York Red Bulls have dominated the Hudson River Derby. In 10 meetings, the Red Bulls are undefeated in seven games. However, NYC have recently got the best of the Red Bulls as the two MLS clubs meet on Saturday at Red Bull Arena.
NYC come into the fixture having secured the most points in MLS. The side has collected 20 of a possible 27 points. NYC's only blemish was a 3-0 away loss to Portland Timbers in week 8, but Patrick Vieira's side rebounded with a 3-1 win over FC Dallas a week ago. The Sky Blues' form away from Yankee Stadium has seen the team drop points this term. It is on the road the NYC have suffered their only defeat of the season and two draws. Going into the derby on Saturday, the Red Bulls will be buoyed by their rival's inconsistencies outside of the Bronx.
The Red Bulls have found consistency hard to come by this season as well. But much of that can be put down to the club just finishing their CONCACAF Champions League campaign. The Red Bulls were eliminated in the semifinal by subsequent winner Chivas de Guadalajara, and now Jesse Marsch can focus his team's attention on the league.
The Red Bulls are a team in transition and despite making it to the Champions League semifinal, the club looks identity-less since the offseason trade of midfielder Sacha Kljestan. New York do have star striker Bradley Wright-Phillips still at the club to fire in the goals. The 33-year-old continues to plug away and score in MLS. He currently has five goals in seven matches, which has him joint-second in the league. In 10 career Hudson River Derby matches, Wright-Phillips has tallied 10 strikes with four of those games being multi-goals games.
NYC have their own expert striker they rely on and that is Spanish star David Villa. Despite being 36, Villa has the ability to continue his great career in the less exhaustive MLS for a few more seasons. The Spaniard has tallied four goals in six matches thus far, and Vieira will need Villa to lead the line and battle against the Red Bulls' defence. Although Villa hasn't been as prolific as Wright-Phillips in the derby, he has scored four times. That includes a hat-trick last season at Yankee Stadium.
This weekend's derby will be the seventh played at Red Bull Arena. In the short existence of the rivalry, the Red Bulls have lost just once at home to NYC. The Red Bulls will keep their winning form alive against NYC on Saturday and defeat their rivals. Expect Wright-Phillips to find the back of the net at least once in the game.
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