The intense Hudson River Derby between New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET. Taking place at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, this Eastern Conference clash sees the playoff-chasing Red Bulls hosting a clinched NYCFC squad, eager to lock in a top-four seed for home-field advantage in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
New York Red Bulls are fighting to keep their playoff aspirations alive after a crucial 2-0 road win over CF Montréal on September 20, with goals from Tim Parker and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Carlos Coronel securing his 10th clean sheet of the season.
The victory snapped a poor away form streak and boosted their points tally to 43 in 16th place in the East. Recent updates include Tim Parker earning MLS Team of the Matchday honors for his goal and defensive work, while the club eyes momentum heading into this rivalry clash.
New York City FC has officially clinched a berth in the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the ninth time in 11 seasons following a 2-0 victory over Charlotte FC on September 20, where Alonso Martínez scored a brace to end Charlotte’s nine-game winning streak.
Sitting fourth in the East with 53 points (16W-9L-5D), NYCFC extended their contract with goalkeeper Matt Freese through 2030, recognizing his seven clean sheets and 84 saves this season. The team is now focused on locking in a top-four finish for Round One home-field advantage.
New York Red Bulls vs New York City Match Preview
As the 2025 MLS regular season approaches its climax, this Hudson River Derby at Sports Illustrated Stadium carries massive stakes: NYCFC aims to cement a top-four seed, while the Red Bulls desperately need points to climb into playoff contention.
With NYCFC’s recent form clashing with the Red Bulls’ road resilience, fans can anticipate an intense, goal-packed showdown in one of MLS’s most heated rivalries.
Team News and Analysis
New York Red Bulls report injuries to AJ Marcucci (cruciate ligament), Cameron Harper (knee), Julian Hall, Lewis Morgan, and Wiktor Bogacz, but the squad showed depth in their recent shutout win. Their defense, led by Coronel’s league-leading clean sheets, has been key, though offensive output remains inconsistent. Coach Sandro Schwarz will emphasize set-piece threats to exploit NYCFC’s occasional lapses.
New York City FC has no new major injuries but will monitor Keaton Parks (foot), Malachi Jones (leg), and Nico Cavallo. Their attack is firing on all cylinders, with Martínez’s form pivotal, while Freese’s extension bolsters confidence.
Pascal Jansen’s side has conceded just 35 goals league-wide, third-fewest, but must stay sharp against the Red Bulls’ counter-attacks in this high-pressure derby.
New York Red Bulls vs New York City Head-to-Head Record
New York Red Bulls hold a narrow lead in the storied Hudson River Derby, with 16 wins to NYCFC’s 11 and 4 draws across 31 meetings. Matches average 2.68 goals, often delivering drama. Their most recent clash in May 2025 ended in a 2-0 Red Bulls playoff win, but NYCFC has won the last two regular-season encounters by a combined 7-2 score.
| Date | Competition | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2025 | MLS Regular Season | NYCFC 0-2 NY Red Bulls | Citi Field |
| (Historical Average) | MLS | Red Bulls Wins: 16, Draws: 4, NYCFC Wins: 11 | Various |
New York Red Bulls vs New York City Predicted XI Lineups
New York Red Bulls Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
- Coronel; Duncan, Nealis, Parker, Reyes; Carballo, Edelman; Forsberg, Amaya, Morgan; Choupo-Moting.
This setup focuses on controlling the midfield, with Forsberg orchestrating the game and Choupo-Moting leading the attack, capitalizing on set pieces to create opportunities.
New York City FC Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
- Freese; Simon, Martins, Haak, O’Toole; Perea, Morales; Wolf, Ojeda, Mercau; Martínez.
NYCFC’s strategy emphasizes smooth attacking transitions, with Martínez spearheading the attack and Wolf adding creativity from the midfield.
Key Players
For the New York Red Bulls, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been a revelation with his recent goal against Montreal, bringing experience and aerial prowess to the attack. Carlos Coronel’s 10 clean sheets make him indispensable in goal, while Emil Forsberg adds playmaking magic in midfield.
New York City FC’s Alonso Martínez leads with 17 goals and 2 assists, his brace against Charlotte underscoring his clutch ability. Hannes Wolf (11g/7a) drives the offense, and Matt Freese’s seven shutouts and recent extension highlight his reliability between the posts
New York Red Bulls vs New York City Match Prediction
New York City FC edges a 2-1 victory, capitalizing on their superior form and attacking depth, though the Red Bulls’ home desperation could make it tight.
With NYCFC secure in the playoffs and able to rotate their squad, and the Red Bulls desperate for points, this derby promises to be a classic with over 2.5 goals expected and NYCFC holding a 55% chance of winning.
Where to Watch New York Red Bulls vs New York
In the USA, the New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC match streams exclusively on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass. Coverage starts at 7:30 PM ET, with English and Spanish commentary available.