NYCFC triumphs over rival Red Bulls in Open Cup knockout match

New York City FC Defeats Red Bulls in Open Cup Match

New York City FC finally turned the tide against the Red Bulls in the U.S. Open Cup. After a string of disappointing results in both the MLS Cup playoffs and League’s Cup, they secured a 3-1 victory in an elimination game, marking a significant moment for the team.

This time, it was the younger Red Bulls players taking the field, including 18-year-old Julian Hall and 17-year-olds Adri Mehmeti and Matthew dos Santos. In contrast, seasoned player Maxi Morales was instrumental for NYCFC, providing three assists from corner kicks that broke down the defense.

“I’m really happy for all the supporters of our club… At the end of the day, we play for them,” said NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen, reflecting on the importance of the win. He expressed hope for more victories against their rivals in the future.

Historically, the Red Bulls have had the upper hand in knockout stages, and fans enthusiastically remind everyone of their achievements. However, NYCFC was determined to rewrite that narrative.

In their last three encounters in the Open Cup, the Red Bulls had dominated, winning collectively by an 8-0 margin. They had also eliminated NYCFC from competitions in both 2023 and 2024, a bitter pill for fans to swallow.

Yet, on this occasion, the scoring came from NYCFC, with players like Kai Trewyn, Raul Gustavo, and Thiago Martins finding the back of the net. The chants from their few away supporters echoed throughout the stadium, highlighting the rivalry’s tension.

Of course, the banter typical of the Hudson River Derby was present. But this time, the confidence of NYCFC fans was rewarded.

Jansen noted the awareness of the significant rivalry, highlighting the importance of this match for the supporters. Even in defeat, the Red Bulls saw Hall score his ninth goal of the season, indicating a promising future for the young striker, who has potential national team aspirations.

Though his hopes of competing in the upcoming World Cup seem distant—especially since his mother’s home country, Poland, didn’t qualify—Hall remains focused on the Red Bulls. “The World Cup has always been my dream,” he shared, yet his immediate focus is clearly on the team’s performance.