New York City FC enters the Leagues Cup 2023 round of 32 looking to do something it has never done in its history: beat the New York Red Bulls in a single-elimination match. In three previous matches against its Hudson River Derby rival (all in the U.S. Open Cup), not only has NYCFC failed to win; they’ve failed to even score. The club has been outscored 8-0 when it’s a win-or-go-home scenario against the Red Bulls.
While goals have been at a premium recently for NYCFC, the club comes into this knockout round matchup having scored five goals in a 5-0 win over Toronto FC. It was the club’s highest output of the season. New signee, forward Monsef Bakrar, scored in his club debut and teammate Santiago Roriguez scored a brace and added an assist in the win. It was a great bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Atlas FC in their tournament opener.
But NYCFC will have to get past the two-time Man of the Match for the Red Bulls in Leagues Cup: goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. In his team’s tournament opener, he made a massive save in the final round of PKs to help his team earn the extra point over New England Revolution (after notching a cleansheet in regulation). Coronel came up big again in the second match, saving a penalty kick near the end of regulation against Atlétio San Luis to help prevent his club from being eliminated. Moments after the save, the Red Bulls scored to earn the win and clinch first place in the group.
Winning, or even scoring, may be a tall task for NYCFC against a goalkeeper in form, but getting a result against their rival may be what the club needs to turn around the rest of its season.
Kick-off time and where to watch New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls:
New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls will take place on August 3 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, and kicks off at 8pm ET (6pm in Mexico City). The game can be watched in both the United States and in Mexico on Apple TV - MLS Season Pass.
Lineups:
