A rough end to the 2024 season for New York City FC as they just lost the first-ever Hudson River Derby in the MLS Cup Playoffs, falling 0-2 to the Red Bulls at Citi Field, with goals scored in the first half by Felipe Carballo and Dante Vanzeir.
This was the 30th time these two teams have ever faced off but the first meeting between local rivals in the MLS postseason. By winning, the Red Bulls extended their perfect record when facing New York City FC in a must-win knockout match to 5 W-0 D-0 L, with this playoff victory joining a trio of Red Bull wins in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (2017, 2018, and 2022) and a win the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32.
New York City still has never beaten a local rival – not the Red Bulls, nor the New York Cosmos before them – in a win-or-go-home match staged in tournament play. This latest rivalry loss stings the most given the high stakes and high level of anticipation for the first playoff meeting between the Tri-State Area's two MLS teams.
Mark Radigan
Hudson River Blue Staff
Now the victorious Red Bulls will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Semifinal to be played between Orlando City SC and Atlanta United FC. If Orlando wins, the Red Bulls will travel to Florida to face them in the Eastern Conference Final on either Saturday, November 30 or Sunday, December 1. If Atlanta wins, that Conference Final will be played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
This is the 28th season in the history of the Red Bulls franchise, but they've still yet to win MLS Cup. This historic first victory in a playoff Hudson River Derby keeps their underdog dream alive and books them a place in the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2018, when they lost to an Atlanta United side that eventually won the Cup.
The Red Bulls have also now won all the historic "firsts" in the Hudson River rivalry born when New York City FC debuted for the 2015 season. Red Bull won the first-ever meeting between the teams, the first-ever match played at New York City's home stadium, the first US Open Cup meeting, the first Leagues Cup meeting, and now the first Hudson River Derby played in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
After falling short of a third trip to the Eastern Conference Final in four seasons, New York City FC now shifts immediately into offseason mode. Club legend Maxi Moralez might have played his last-ever game for NYCFC, as his contract expires at the end of the 2024 season and he has no contract options in place to extend his stay to 2025 or beyond.
The offseason planning will begin in earnest with roster decisions likely to be announced in short order by NYCFC, and with a full MLS offseason – including an expansion draft – to now navigate before MLS returns to New York City for a new season in 2025.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Matthew Mangam
