Red Bulls Smash Seven past NYCFC

Once again the short existence of this New York City/Hudson River Rivalry has returned, with the excitement and energy just as non stop just like the city. Coming into the match, New York City FC sat at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls started slow out of the gate before racking up a few wins, with the last coming on Wednesday against the Chicago Fire. Everyone thought a hard fought game was to come, but it seems it was only the Red Bulls who showed up ready to play.

After ninety minutes, the New York Red Bulls once again showed their dominance over NYC FC after putting seven past Josh Saunders to earn their fourth straight win over the upstarts; and in the process, sent the home fans for the exits early in the second half.

Dax McCarty converted his first brace in his MLS career as he opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. The Red Bulls earned a corner, and when Sacha Kljestan delivered a solid cross McCarty came out of nowhere and put a header past Saunders inside the back post. His second goal came early in the second half as it was a repeat of his goal from the first half. Another corner delivered by Kljestan from the far side of the field and McCarty gets into position once again for a header shot that bounced off the inside of the back post and in.

Of course Bradley Wright-Phillips, who has NYC FC's number, decided to put a brace past Saunders as well. Mike Grella controlled the ball along the near side and created space to deliver a fantastic cross to BWP who headed down the ball towards goal. Saunders tried to paw the ball away but didn't get all of it and the ball dribbled over the goal line.

BWP's second of the match came during first half stoppage time, and it was a thing of beauty. Once again, Grella delivered a cross from the left side, which found Aurelien Collin, who kept the ball in the air long enough for BWP to deliver a possible goal of the week bicycle kick. The ball beat Saunders on the far post for Bradley's sixth goal in four matches against NYC FC.

Alex Muyl scored his first of his career MLS goal as BWP stole the ball and found an oncoming Muyl who took a one time shot and pounded the back of the net in the 56th minute.

Gonzalo Veron found the back of the net for the team's 6th goal. Felipe delivered a corner that forced Saunders to get off his line as Veron was left open on the back post to head the ball home.

The team's final goal came from Ghanaian International Center Back Gideon Baah who poked home a quick rebound shot off of yet another corner kick.

After all the chatter and the trash talking between fans before this match, the New York Red Bulls made a statement win, and kept the winning streak alive. In the four matches played, this is of course the most goals the Red Bulls have score, and they pushed the aggregate goal tally to 14-2 against NYC FC.

Marsch was very excited to see his side perform at a high level and knows he'll need to carry this momentum into the team's next match against Toronto FC. It's an important match as the team will be taking a break for Copa America Centenario, which will begin on June 3rd.

For today though, it's very clear, New York City is Red.