New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview

Hudson River Derby heats up as RBNY-NYC restart season

RBNY-NYC Week 6

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 6
New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC
Red Bull Arena – Harrison
August 20 â€“ 7:00 PM ET


TV: TSN5 in Canada


STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US


A rivalry is renewed as the New York Red Bulls and New York City resume the 2020 regular season in the latest chapter of the Hudson River Derby August 20 at Red Bull Arena. 


Both teams had mixed results at the MLS is Back Tournament, with the Red Bulls suffering consecutive defeats after opening with a win over Atlanta United to crash out after the group stage, while NYCFC made a run to the quarterfinals after needing a win, and some help, in their group stage finale against Inter Miami CF.


The derby was decidedly red early, with six wins in the first seven all-time meetings. But NYCFC have clawed back with four wins in the last nine encounters, including a 2-1 victory at Yankee Stadium in the last matchup. 


New York Red Bulls


The Red Bulls exited Orlando earlier than they expected following disappointing defeats to the Ohio duo of Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati, failing to score a goal in both losses. The club addressed their need for help in the attacking third by acquiring 24-year-old Ghanaian forward Samuel Tetteh on loan from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, coached by former RBNY boss Jesse Marsch. That came on the heels of signing former England youth international Dru Yearwood, a 20-year-old midfielder from Brentford.


Neither player will be available Thursday and additional moves in the Secondary Transfer Window are expected.


Despite the MLS is Back disappointment, the Red Bulls strong start in March, which included a season-opening win over FC Cincinnati and a draw at Real Salt Lake, have them sixth in the Eastern Conference, two points behind second place Toronto FC.

New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: None
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty: None


New York City FC


Consecutive goalless defeats to the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC had NYCFC on the verge of an early departure from MLS is Back. But a needed win over Inter Miami CF followed and, after a few other results went their way, the Cityzens were into the knockouts. There they produced the best result of the season to date, a thorough 3-1 victory over Toronto FC before bowing out to eventual champion Portland in the quarterfinals.


The positive for NYCFC is a belief they turned a corner in their late MLS is Back matches. The negative is only their group stage matches count toward the regular season which mean Ronny Deila's squad are in 12th in the East as play resumes, though they're just a win below the playoff line. NYCFC will be without Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (hamstring), while Deila said Maxi Moralez's status will be determined on game day.

New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (M) - hamstring injury
    • OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
    • QUESTIONABLE: Maxi Moralez (M) - calf injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International duty: None


Series Matchup at Red Bulls


  • Red Bulls: 5 wins, 15 goals
  • NYCFC:1 win, 6 goals
  • 1 draw


Officials


  • Referee: Allen Chapman
  • Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Brian Dunn
  • 4th Official: Thomas Snyder
  • VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero