Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwartz and New York City FC manager Nick Cushing don't think they need to do much to get their respective teams ready for Saturday's playoff Hudson River Derby. I'm predicting it.
Both teams should be ready for an intense showdown at Citi Field, even after both teams have had some extended time off since defeating their first-round opponents in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
“We have professional players here, so if you can't get in shape for a semifinal against a rival where you have a chance to advance, you're in the wrong sport,” Cushing said.
The Red Bulls defeated third-seeded FC Cincinnati in two best-of-three games in the first round, while NYCFC defeated defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew in three games.
However, the Red Bulls' quick series win and international break means they have not played for 20 days, and by the time the game kicks off it will have been a full two weeks since NYCFC took to the pitch in a competitive match. Become. Saturday 30:30pm.
The break certainly curtailed some of the momentum both teams felt after series wins over two favored teams in the East.
Cushing called the break “not ideal” when addressing reporters ahead of the Eastern Conference semifinals, but both coaches tried to use the break to their advantage. Coach Cushing used this time to allow his players to rest and recuperate, while Coach Schwartz used it as an opportunity to prepare tactically for the next game.
There probably won't be too many surprises for either team given how used the New York teams are to each other, but City maintains their dominance in this year's regular season by dominating the Red Bulls. .
Nevertheless, it doesn't seem like players from either team are expected to factor in on Saturday.
“I think it would be a different game if we played them in the playoffs,” Red Bulls defender Andres Reyes said. “I think we're going to have a lot of emotions. This game could be one of the most important games for us, so we have to be sharp.”
“I don't think it really matters who won before or who didn't,” added NYCFC defender Tyvon Gray. “I think the focus is just on this because this is really important. I can say we beat you five times before, and then we beat you in the playoffs. So just stay focused and focus on the game and that's it. I think.”
The previous two games were no different from previous games, with NYCFC defeating the Red Bulls 2-1 in May and 5-1 at Red Bull Arena in September.
Recent history gives City the advantage as to who will be the favorites to play in the first-ever playoff showdown between New York's two MLS clubs.
NYCFC midfielder Justin Haak said, “If you looked at the last round, especially Miami, Columbus, and Cincinnati, who were giving it their all, and before the playoffs started, they were the top three favorites to win the East. “Sho,” he said. “And in these kinds of games where one mistake or one good moment can change the whole game, it doesn't really matter who wins.”
There was some concern that Lewis Morgan, one of the Red Bulls' biggest offensive weapons, would be out, but Schwartz confirmed on Thursday that he would be available.
Morgan, along with fellow international Emil Forsberg, has proven to be a decisive factor in the Red Bulls' games throughout the season. Morgan will be looking for his first postseason goal again this year, while Forsberg had a goal and an assist in the Red Bulls' last win.
Saturday's game will be the second time a Hudson River Derby game will be played at Citi Field, but there will be no stands in the stands as part of the Mets' home is winterized for the offseason. Only about 25,000 fans will gather.
The Red Bulls have only played at Citi Field once before, but defender John Tolkien told the Post the quality of the pitch was “terrible.”
“But that's the situation both teams have to play,” he said. “If you're already going to make excuses about the field, we've already lost. It's certainly interesting to go into the baseball field and see there's a soccer field there. … When the whistle blows, you think about things like that I don't think there are many players.”
The baseball stadium is adjacent to NYCFC's future home and is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 MLS season.
Although construction has not yet begun, a spokesperson for NYCFC told the Post that they plan to break ground by the end of the year and that everything is on track for the stadium to open in 2027.
