NYCFC Show Out as Hudson River Derby Ends Level

Harrison, NJ Sports Illustrated Stadium

NYCFC supporters make presence felt at Sports Illustrated Stadium (photos courtesy of @zamorashoots)

The latest Hudson River Derby had everything you’d expect—physical play, big moments, and plenty of tension—but when it was all said and done, New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls settled for a 1–1 draw at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night.

On the field, it was tight. In the stands, though, it felt like NYCFC might’ve had the edge. A back-and-forth affair on the field, the Red Bulls got on the board first, just before halftime, when Jorge Ruvalcaba cleaned up a loose ball to give the home side a 1–0 lead. NYCFC didn’t take long to respond after the break. In the 52nd minute, Andrés Perea buried a header off a set piece to tie things up and shift the momentum. From there, it turned into a classic derby—chippy moments, chances on both sides, and a pace that never really slowed down. Both teams had opportunities to steal it late, but goalkeepers Matt Freese and Ethan Horvath came up big to keep it level. At the final whistle, a draw felt about right.

Michael Bradley looks on. (photos courtesy of @zamorashoots)

NYCFC Fans Do What They Always Do

One thing that wasn’t even, though, was the presence from the supporters—especially from NYCFC. Once again, their fans made the trip and made noise all night. It didn’t matter that they were on the road—the NYCFC section stayed loud, organized, and fully into it from start to finish. When the equalizer went in, you could feel that energy spike instantly. At this point, it’s just what they do. Derby match, regular season game, whatever it is—they travel, and they show up.

Red Bulls Section Leaves Something Missing

For a rivalry game like this, you expect the home crowd to bring everything. And while there was still a solid turnout—over 25,000 in the building—the overall supporter display felt like it was missing something.  The biggest thing? No tifo. In a match this big, that kind of visual usually sets the tone. It’s part of what makes these games feel different from any other regular season match. Without it, the atmosphere just didn’t hit that same level you’d expect from a derby. That doesn’t mean the crowd was dead—far from it. There was still a buzz around the stadium, especially leading into kickoff, and the energy picked up as the game went on. In a rivalry like this, people notice those details. On this night, it felt like a missed chance for the Red Bulls supporters to really make a statement.

Red Bulls supporters section. (photos courtesy of @zamorashoots)

Derby Always Delivers

Even with the missing elements, the Hudson River Derby still came through where it matters most. The game was physical, competitive, and had that edge you only get when these two teams meet. Both clubs are neck-and-neck right now, and the draw keeps them right alongside each other in the standings. As always, this rivalry is about more than just the table. It’s about pride—on the field and in the stands. While neither team walked away with all three points, NYCFC’s fans definitely made sure their presence was felt.

Players exchange words in highly heated affair. (photos courtesy of @zamorashoots)

More confrontations on the pitch. (photos courtesy of @zamorashoots)