Since the last match between the two New York MLS clubs, much has changed on and off the pitch. The New York Red Bulls are 5-1-1 in their last 7 league matches, while New York City FC have added a group of new faces to their squad. Defenders Andoni Iraola, Angelino and Jefferson Mena and midfielder Andrea Pirlo were all acquired within the last month. Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Lampard also made his club debut last weekend.
New York City FC (6-10-6; 24 points) currently sits 8th in the Eastern Conference, while the Red Bulls (9-6-6; 33 points) are in 2nd place.
The match is to be at a sold out Red Bull Arena, kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1, WFAN, WADO).
NYCFC lost at home to Montreal last weekend, while the Red Bulls drew the Impact 1-1 in Montreal.
“There are obviously things we need to improve on because we aren’t winning enough games,” Lampard said. “I don’t have too many fears because with the quality of this team I think once we get a bit of time training together, it’s within us to do what we want. There’s enough ability here to go on a run of wins and put us in competition for a playoff spot which is what we all want."
Despite bolstering their squad, NYCFC have had a tough time defending, and as a result have dropped points in the standings. City players and coaches know that they need to get results, before it becomes too late.
"We have 12 matches left and we have a guesstimate of how many points we'll need from those matches to qualify for the playoffs," City manager Jason Kreis said. "A lot of those matches are against Eastern Conference opponents above us in the table. All of these matches are gaining significance as the season winds down."
“We need to be winning games and getting shutouts,” City goalkeeper Josh Saunders said. “It’s going to take time, but we don’t have time right now. We don’t have that luxury. We need points. We need to work harder and we need to be better. We will move forward and get better, myself included.”
The new boys from the Bronx have not been the only club in adding pieces the last few weeks. Red Bulls manager Jesse Marsch added Shaun Wright-Phillips, a free agent who last played for Queen's Park Rangers in England, while also adding Designated Player Gonzalo Veron from Argentina. Veron is expected to debut against NYCFC Sunday.
“I knew the New York Red Bulls are a very important club in North America. This league is growing, it’s competitive,’’ said Veron. “MLS is the league of the future. It’s very competitive, it’s growing, it’s a league where very many players want to come and prove themselves — and now that I’m here I want to do just that.’’
Unlike the last two times these clubs have faced off, the Red Bulls won't have the same large amount of possession and time with the ball. With new fullbacks who love to have the ball, and the magnificent Andrea Pirlo in the midfield, City will get more possession and slow down the Red Bulls offense.
Selection of the starting lineups will be difficult for both coaches, with many tough decisions to make. Kreis will have to manage who of the glut of midfielders starts, as well as who partners in the center back position. Lampard might get his first start, and Pirlo should be in the XI as well. For the Red Bulls Marsch will have to decide between Shaun Wright-Phillips and Mike Grella, as well as what role Veron will play in the match.
In the first Hudson River Derby at Red Bull Arena, NYCFC brought over 1,500 away supporters over to New Jersey. This time around, only 500 away seats have been allocated to the traveling support. The Red Bulls say it is a punishment due to misbehavior of last time.
"Because of safety concerns of all guests of Red Bull Arena, we limited NYCFC Supporters to 500 tickets to make them a more manageable group size," a Red Bulls spokesman told the New York Post. "We will continue to work with the NYCFC Supporters to reallocate their allotment as they continue to adhere to RBA regulations at future matches."
They say NYCFC fans set off smoke bombs and threw a flare on the field during their first match at Red Bull Arena on May 10.
Despite the cut of official away seats, this writer expects a bit more than 500 fans wearing sky blue on Sunday night.