Red Bulls Fall In Back-and-Forth Contest Versus NYCFC, 3-2

Published: Sunday, September 28, 2025

by Lauren Reese

HARRISON, N.J - The New York Red Bulls (12-13-7) fell to NYCFC (17-10-5) 3-2 in a Hudson River Derby clash at Sports Illustrated Stadium Saturday night.

The home team entered tonight’s matchup in 10th place, which would have them narrowly missing out on the playoffs. A win was needed in order to boost their spot in the Eastern Conference, but simultaneously, to boost the team’s morale; the Red had only one win in their last four matchups.

There is nothing quite like a rivalry game, and a battle between the metropolitan area’s soccer teams was bound to be a palpable atmosphere. From the moment one entered the parking lot, both Red Bull and NYCFC fans were scattered all over with their tailgates. Even at the PATH Station, blue and red jerseys had seemingly taken over the Hudson County streets. 

But as quickly as the game started, NYCFC took the lead with no hesitation. Nicolas Fernandez slotted the ball into the back of the net with ease, just 90 seconds into the game.

Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and the Red Bulls’ backline looked out of sorts early in this one, allowing NYCFC’s offense time and space to make passes before their shot.

Seven minutes later, a tackle from defensive back Raheem Edwards resulted in a quick yellow card for the home team. Reckless first touches resulted in the ball going out of bounds and sloppy giveaways. NYCFC was attacking the Red Bulls from every angle, not allowing any chance to even try and generate momentum.

Around the 15th minute was when the home team started to pick up their offense, but also when it became noticeable that NYCFC were much faster to the ball than their opponent. Any chance on offense that the Red Bulls had, ten blue jerseys were back on defense and swarming the attacker.

In the 22nd minute, NYCFC were caught off guard on a counter-attack, and a proper Red Bulls attack was in full swing. A through ball from Captain Emil Forsberg found Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting tearing down the right-hand side. After beating the NYCFC defense and one-on-one with goalkeeper Matt Freece, Choupo-Moting made the extra pass to Julian Hall, who slotted it into the bottom-right corner to equalize at one.

But things were not kept under control for long. About three minutes later, Andres Perea put his team up 2-1, crushing any momentum the Red Bulls had established.

This constant pressure would continue from NYCFC for the rest of the half. But after five minutes of additional time, both teams headed into the locker room for halftime, NYCFC leading 2-1.

Yet right out of the half, the New York Red Bulls came out hot, with a flipped-script deja vu moment reminiscent of the start of this game. After a shaky clearance from Freece, Choupo-Moting sent in a pass from the right side of the field parallel to Freece’s net. An open Forsberg, just inside the box, slotted it home.

It was a new game here in Harrison, level at two. Both teams' offensive units went back and forth, with various players exchanging shots on goal.

But NYCFC would go ahead once again on a corner kick in the 65th minute, with Thiago Martins' close-range shot being no match for Coronel.

In the 79th minute, Forsberg had the chance to recreate his goal from earlier in the game, off a great cross from the right-hand side. However, the NYCFC defense was able to get a foot on it, deflecting it from finding the back of the net.

The game would continue, with 10 minutes of additional time being tagged on to regulation, much to the disappointment of the NYCFC fans. But it was not the night for the Red Bulls, as none of their offensive chances could find the back of the net; the night ended with NYCFC taking the win 3-2 over the New York Red Bulls.

The Red Bulls now turn their attention to Oct. 4, where they take on FC Cincinnati at 7:30 PM.

Lauren Reese is the Sports Director at WSOU and can be reached at lauren.reese@student.shu.edu.

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