They are many differences between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, from philosophies to colors to budgetary decisions.
Heck, even their World Cup-bound players are from different countries with the Red Bulls home to the Panamanian duo of Michael Murillo and Fidel Escobar, while NYCFC has Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace from Costa Rica.
But in an unusually polite buildup to the 10th league clash between the rivals on Saturday (1:55 pm ET | ESPN - Full TV & streaming info), the two New York clubs appear to look more alike than ever before.
Gone are the days of the aging European legends against the hungry Homegrown kids. Now, both teams have young, energetic and dynamic players, including a pair of young Designated Playersfrom South America — Kaku, a 23-year-old Argentine No. 10, for the Red Bulls and Jesus Medina, a 21-year-old Paraguayan winger, for NYCFC.
“From outside, I quite like the energy that they have when they are on the field. They lost some important players, I think, but the team is more dynamic than they used to,” NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said of the Red Bulls. “I think on our side is the same as well. We lost some experienced players and we have some young players on our team. Both teams are more energetic than they used to be so it’s going to be an open game. If both teams stick to their philosophy, it can be a really good game of football.”
Of course, both still have two of the top forwards in MLS with Bradley Wright-Phillips for the Red Bulls and David Villa for NYCFC.
“From an outsiders perspective this series has been a lot Villa vs. Wright-Phillips. In many ways it will be that again,” Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said. “But I think it will be the job of both teams to put that player in positions to succeed as many times as possible and whichever team manages to do that will most likely win.”
Wright-Phillips has owned NYCFC over the years, scoring 10 goals in nine league encounters. Villa has four goals, including a memorable hat trick in a 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium last August.
In 2018, Wright-Phillips has showcased his ability, and willingness, to be a playmaker, setting up Danny Royer and Florian Valot for goals in a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy Saturday night.
Villa was sidelined for a month with a calf injury, but it didn’t stop the deepest NYCFC team to date from getting off to their best start yet with six wins and two draws in their first eight matches.
“It’s a sign of a good team,” Wright-Phillips said. “Obviously he brings a lot to their play and their team. He seems like a very good leader, but that’s a sign of a good squad and a good coach. You can’t just rely on one player. I think our team epitomizes that.”
Villa scored off the substitute’s bench in a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United and enters the match off his 15th MLS brace, bagging career goals No. 400 and 401 for club and country in a 3-1 win over FC Dallas.
“He’s one of the best so it’s tough to have an exact answer,” Red Bulls central defender Aaron Longsaid when asked how to best defend Villa. “But I guess just be tight on him and not let him have any space.”
With several attacking threats on both sides and with each scoring a lot of goals this year — NYCFC has 19 in nine matches, third in MLS behind Atlanta United (21) and Sporting Kansas City(20), while the Red Bulls have 17 goals in seven matches, there’s a strong possibility of some offensive fireworks at Red Bull Arena Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a very tough game, very good team, very good attacking group, I feel like similar to LA in that way,” Long said. “They’re scoring a lot of goals right now. It’s going to be tough, but so are we. It’s going to be a clash of two titans in a way.”
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