The playoff edition of Major League Soccer’s Hudson River Derby had quite the buildup. It quickly dissipated after 25 minutes.
Felipe Carballo Ares and Dante Vanzeir scored early goals for the New York Red Bulls to beat New York City FC 2-0 in their conference semifinal match in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday night at Citi Field in Queens, New York.
The Red Bulls beat their in-state rival and earned a trip to the MLS Cup conference finals for the first time since 2018. They will meet the winner of Sunday’s semifinal between Orlando City and Atlanta United.
Carballo fired a left boot from outside the box after a volley into play by his goalie in the 16th minute, while Vanzeir was in the right place at the right time to score in the 25th minute off the right post after a corner kick.
It was the 30th all-time match between the New York MLS clubs, but the first in the postseason. While the intensity heightened in the second half, the Red Bulls relied on their first-half scores to continue their postseason run.
The No. 7 seed Red Bulls began their postseason by eliminating No. 2 Columbus Crew, the reigning MLS champions, during their first-round series.
It was the second-biggest upset of the playoffs so far after Atlanta United eliminated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
No. 6 NYCFC beat No. 3 FC Cincinnati, last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners, in another major first-round upset.
With the Top 3 seeds eliminated, the path to the Dec. 7 MLS Cup final has become cleared for the Red Bulls.
They reached the MLS Cup once, losing to the Columbus Crew in 2008. The franchise has the longest active postseason appearance streak among North America’s major men’s professional sports leagues, making the playoffs in 15 consecutive seasons.
NYCFC won MLS Cup defeating the Portland Timbers in 2021. It finished ahead of the Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings this season, and won the previous two matches in the Hudson River Derby before Saturday’s match.
NYCFC, which splits home games between Citi Field and Yankee Stadium, this week announced the name of its own soccer-specific stadium, Ethiad Park, opening in 2027.
Check out these highlights from the New York City FC-New York Red Bulls playoff match.
Dante Vanzeir goal: New York Red Bulls 2, NYCFC 0
The Red Bulls have doubled their lead in the 25th minute.
Dante Vanzeir was in the right place at the right time, finding the ball after it was sent into play from a corner kick, and striking it off the right post and into the net.
Felipe Carballo goal: New York Red Bulls 1, NYCFC 0
What a strike. Felipe Carballo connected with a left boot in the 16th minute, and the Red Bulls have the early 1-0 lead.
Scoring first has been favorable for the Red Bulls: They are 10-1-5 when scoring first, including the playoffs.
How to stream the NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls playoff game
The NYCFC vs. RBNY game will stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls starting lineups
Here are the starting lineups for both clubs on Saturday:
Where is the NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls playoff game?
New York City FC will host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Citi Field in Queens, New York.
NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls: MLS Cup Playoffs time, streaming
Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV: None
Stream: Apple TV
Location: Citi Field, Queens, New York
NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls betting odds
According to BetMGM, here are the odds after regulation: New York City FC (+115), New York Red Bulls (+210), tie (+240). The over/under is set at 2.5 goals.
MLS league winner odds
According to BetMGM, here are the odds for winning the league championship: Los Angeles FC (+165), Los Angeles Galaxy (+300), Orlando City SC (+500), New York City FC (+700), New York Red Bulls (+800), Seattle Sounders FC (+1000), Minnesota United FC (+1600) and Atlanta United (+2500).
Remaining 2024 MLS playoff schedule
Nov. 23-24: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
Dec. 7: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)
MLS CUP: Ranking every Major League Soccer championship game
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