NYCFC Holds Off Red Bulls At Yankee Stadium

Heber celebrates his goal. @NYCFC.

In the second and final installment of the Hudson River Derby on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium, New York City Football Club came from behind to beat the Red Bulls, 2-1.


NYCFC improved to 13-8-5, with 47 points, in third place in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the leaders, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

The Red Bulls are right behind them, in fourth, and they dropped to 12-5-11, with 41 points.

The Red Bulls got on the board first, in the 10th minute when midfielder Alex Muyl, a New York City native, scored on a feed from Kaku deep inside the 18-yard box.
This was Muyl's second career New York Derby goal and third goal of 2019. Kaku recorded his fifth league assist of the season and 19th of his career for the Red Bulls.
NYCFC tied it up in extra time in the first half when they were awarded a penalty kick, which Maxi Moralez converted.
In the second half, 53rd minute, NCYFC got the lead when Heber tallied his 13th of the season. Anton Tinnerholm and Maxi Moralez got assists on the play.
New York City FC Head Coach Doménec Torrent said of the match, “We practiced a different system, we played a 4-4-2, with Mitriță and Moralez between the lines. We won the second balls which is very important against Red Bulls. I’m especially happy because we were able to show good build up in our stadium against these kind of teams. When I talk about the personality, it’s about that. Sometimes we can play long ball, we have signals for that, but we play much better when we play short.”
Héber said of the fans, with 28,895 at The Stadium, “When we play at home it’s different. A lot of energy from them, it was a very nice night. We are very happy when the stadium is full...
“Now is the time for our team to play nice football like we played today. Of course, anytime you play the derby and you win you get more confidence.”
Red Bulls Head Coach Chris Armas said of the game, “I would say that it is almost in many ways, exactly what we thought it would look like. Lots of fouls, lots of emotion, lots of intensity. It is unpredictable which way it is going to go. It’s a close hard fought game by both teams, and I am proud of the fight and the way our guys started the game, the way we finished the game. Derby matches are like playoff matches, when two teams that get together that are good and close in the standings, not much separates them. I would say I am proud of our guys.”
Red Bulls winger Josh Sims, a 22-year-old on loan from Southampton, made his MLS debut, coming on in the 65th minute for Muyl.
Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips recorded his first start since April 20, playing 77 minutes before being subbed off for Tom Barlow.