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Major League SoccerSeason 2025

New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC

28 September 2025 at 00:30Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr

Match Summary

New York City FC defeated New York Red Bulls 3:2. The match was played in Major League Soccer 2025. Goals were scored by N. Mercau 2′, J. Hall 23′, A. Perea 26′, E. Forsberg 47′, Thiago Martins 65′. 5 yellow cards were shown. New York Red Bulls had 53% possession while New York City FC held 47%. New York Red Bulls had 10 shots (3 on target) compared to 13 (8 on target) for New York City FC. Expected goals: New York Red Bulls 1.24 — New York City FC 2.83. New York Red Bulls made 6 substitutions, New York City FC made 5. VAR was involved: Goal cancelled (Julián Fernández 70′).

Match Events

Key match events between New York Red Bulls and New York City FC — 5 goals and 5 cards recorded during the match.

Match Statistics

New York Red Bulls had 53% possession against New York City FC's 47%. New York Red Bulls registered 10 shots (3 on target) while New York City FC managed 13 (8 on target). Corner kicks: 6–4. Fouls committed: 19–9.

Shots on Goal
3
8
Shots Off Goal
4
4
Total Shots
10
13
Blocked Shots
3
1
Shots inside the Box
9
11
Shots outside the Box
1
2
Fouls
19
9
Corner Kicks
6
4
Offsides
0
4
Ball Possession
53%
47%
Yellow Cards
3
2
Red Cards
0
0
Goalkeeper Saves
5
0
Total Passes
458
401
Accurate Passes
370
330
Pass Accuracy
81%
82%
Expected Goals (xG)
1.24
2.83
Goals Prevented (xGP)
-1
-1

Lineups

New York Red Bulls lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Sandro Schwarz, while New York City FC deployed a 4-4-1-1 under Pascal Jansen.

Squad Ratings

The overall squad rating for New York Red Bulls is 6.68, compared to 7.05 for New York City FC. This metric is derived from each player's average match rating across all league appearances this season — anything above 7.00 is considered strong, while below 6.50 signals inconsistency. New York Red Bulls's highest-rated starter is J. Hall (6.89), while New York City FC's best-rated player is N. Mercau (7.90).

Attacking Output

The starting XI of New York Red Bulls have contributed 13 goals and 11 assists this season, led by J. Hall (9G). New York City FC's starters account for 21 goals and 16 assists, spearheaded by N. Mercau (10G). Goals reflect clinical finishing and chance creation, while assists highlight the ability to unlock defences through through-balls, crosses, and set pieces.

Defensive Solidity

New York Red Bulls deploy 4 defenders rated 6.60 on average, against New York City FC's 4-man backline averaging 6.96. Higher defensive ratings suggest better positional awareness, fewer individual errors, and a greater likelihood of keeping clean sheets. The rating accounts for tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels, and blocks throughout the season.

Midfield Control

New York Red Bulls field 5 midfielders averaging 6.71, versus New York City FC's 4 rated 6.95. Midfield ratings reflect passing accuracy, interceptions, key passes, and overall control of possession — the team that dominates midfield typically dictates the tempo and territory of the match.

Forward Threat

New York Red Bulls start 1 forward(s) averaging 6.62, compared to 2 for New York City FC averaging 7.42. Forward ratings capture shot accuracy, movement off the ball, dribbling success, and involvement in build-up play — they indicate who carries the greater goal threat on the day.

Passing & Build-Up

Passing accuracy averages 82% for New York Red Bulls and 84% for New York City FC. Higher passing accuracy generally indicates a possession-based style with patient build-up through the thirds, while lower figures may suggest a more direct, counter-attacking approach with long balls and quick transitions.

Discipline

New York Red Bulls's starters have collected 5 yellow cards this season, compared to 16 for New York City FC. Yellow cards reflect how aggressively a team presses and tackles — a high count may indicate a physical, high-pressing style but also risks suspensions and late free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Age & Experience

The average age of New York Red Bulls's starting XI is 28.0 (youngest: J. Hall (17), oldest: E. M. Choupo-Moting (36)), while New York City FC average 26.8 (youngest: A. Ojeda (21), oldest: M. Moralez (38)). Younger squads typically offer pace, energy, and pressing intensity, while experienced lineups bring composure, game management, and the ability to handle high-pressure moments.

Squad Depth

New York Red Bulls's starters average 12 league appearances each, versus 13 for New York City FC. High appearance counts indicate an established, well-drilled unit that the manager trusts week in and week out. Lower figures may suggest rotation, injuries, or emerging players still earning their place in the team.

New York Red Bulls4-2-3-14-4-1-1New York City FC
GKDEFMIDFWD
31Coronel6Duncan3Eile26Parker44Edwards48Donkor4Berggren19Carmona10Forsberg16Hall13Choupo-.49Freese24Gray13Martins80Haak34Gustavo26Ojeda21O'Neill8Perea17Wolf10Moralez7Mercau

Substitutes

Coach: Sandro Schwarz

Substitutes

Coach: Pascal Jansen

New York Red BullsPosition StrengthNew York City FC
6.68
Avg Rating
7.05
Goalkeeper (1 v 1)6.97
0G 0A0G 0A
6.60Defender (4 v 4)6.96
0G 0A1G 1A
6.71Midfielder (5 v 4)6.95
11G 11A9G 6A
6.62Forward (1 v 2)7.42
2G 0A11G 9A
New York Red Bulls4-2-3-1
31GoalkeeperCarlos Coronel
6DefenderK. Duncan
3DefenderN. Eile
26DefenderT. Parker6.6
44DefenderR. Edwards
48MidfielderR. Donkor6.81G4A
4MidfielderG. Berggren6.41A
19MidfielderW. Carmona
10MidfielderE. Forsberg6.71G3A
16MidfielderJ. Hall6.99G3A
13ForwardE. M. Choupo-Moting6.62G
New York City FC4-4-1-1
49GoalkeeperM. Freese7.0
24DefenderT. Gray7.01G1A
13DefenderThiago Martins7.0
80DefenderJ. Haak
34DefenderRaul Gustavo6.9
26MidfielderA. Ojeda7.03G3A
21MidfielderA. O'Neill7.11A
8MidfielderA. Perea6.91G
17MidfielderH. Wolf6.95G2A
10ForwardM. Moralez6.91G6A
7ForwardN. Mercau7.910G3A

Rivalry since 2015

New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC Head to Head Results· 33

New York Red Bulls and New York City FC have met 33 times — New York Red Bulls won 16, New York City FC won 12, with 5 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2015. New York Red Bulls leads the head-to-head with 16 victories from 33 meetings. A combined 89 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.70 per match (51 for the home side, 38 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 14 matches (42%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 14 games (42%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. New York City FC are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 5–2 in 2020.

Total goals
89 · 2.7/match
Both scored
14/33 · 42%
Over 2.5
14/33 · 42%

Recent Meetings

30/04/26US Open Cup
Match Details
04/08/23Leagues Cup
Match Details
Highest-scoring game: 52 v 2020

Recent Form

WWonDDrawnLLost

In their last 6 matches, New York Red Bulls have recorded 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. New York City FC show 2 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses from their last 6 outings.

Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

API data: 11 May 2026