New York City FC vs. Red Bulls in MLS playoff today: Score, highlights

On By Littum

game

New York City FC and that New York Red Bulls are in the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in their 10-year Hudson River Derby history.

The Red Bulls hold a 2-0 lead in the 30th all-time matchup between these two clubs with their postseason on the line. The NYCFC vs. RBNY game is available to stream live on MLS season ticket on Apple TV.

The seventh-seeded Red Bulls pulled off the second-biggest upset of the playoffs so far — first, of course, being Atlanta United over Inter Miami — by eliminating the defending MLS Cup champions Crew of Columbus in two games in the 1st round. RBNY got goals from its three key offensive players in the playoff series win, with designated players Emil Forsberg and Dante Vanzeir, as well as team leading scorer Lewis Morgan each scoring a goal.

By reaching this season’s MLS Cup playoffs, the Red Bulls extended the longest active postseason appearance among North America’s major professional men’s sports leagues. RBNY has reached the MLS playoffs in 15 consecutive seasons, more than MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers (12), NBAs Boston Celtics (10) and NFLs Kansas City Chiefs (nine) and the NHL’s Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs (eight).

Sixth-seeded New York City FC head into the conference semi-finals against their arch-rivals after dropping last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners, FC Cincinnatiout of the playoffs. Alonso Martínez (16) and Santiago Rodríguez (13) were NYCFC’s leading scorers in the 2024 season, each scoring in the team’s playoff opener – a 3-1 win over FC Cincinnati.

NYCFC will host Saturday’s playoff game at Citi Field because the club’s permanent home, Yankee Stadium, already had a previously scheduled event – the “Shamrock Series” college football matchup between undefeated Army and Notre Dame in a matchup with major College Football Playoff implications.

New York’s two MLS entries have a poor MLS Cup history in a combined 39 seasons of league play. NYCFC won in its only MLS Cup appearance, defeat the Portland Timbers in 2021. The New York Red Bulls have only reached the MLS Cup once, lost to Columbus Crew in 2008.

With the top three seeds from the Eastern Conference – Inter Miami, Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati – out of the playoffs, the door is open for an unexpected finalist from the conference, with NYCFC-RBNY wins over Orlando City SC-Atlanta United winner in next week’s conference finals.

Stay tuned here for live updates from the New York City FC-New York Red Bulls match tonight.

The Red Bulls have doubled their lead in the 25thth minute.

Dante Vanzeir was in the right place at the right time and found the ball after it was sent into play from a corner kick and smashed it off the right post and into the net.

What a strike. Felipe Carballo connected with a left boot in the 16thth minute and the Red Bulls have the early 1-0 lead.

Scoring first has been favorable for the Red Bulls: They are 10-1-5 when scoring first, including the playoffs.

The NYCFC vs. RBNY game will continue to stream MLS season ticket on Apple TV.

Here are the starting lineups for both clubs on Saturday:

New York City FC hosts the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, November 23 at Citi Field in Queens, New York.

  • Date: Saturday 23 Nov
  • Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: No
  • Current: Apple TV
  • Location: Citi Field, Queens, New York

NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls odds

According to BetMGM, here are the odds after regulation: New York City FC (+115), New York Red Bulls (+210), draw (+240). Over/under is set to 2.5 goals.

MLS league wins odds

According to BetMGM, here are the odds to win the league championship: Los Angeles FC (+165), Los Angeles Galaxy (+300), Orlando City SC (+500), New York City FC (+700), New York Red Bulls (+800 ), Seattle Sounders FC (+1000), Minnesota United FC (+1600) and Atlanta United (+2500).

Remaining 2024 MLS Playoff Schedule

  • 23.-24. November: Conference Semifinals (single-elimination games)
  • Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference Finals (single-elimination games)
  • December 7: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)

MLS CUP: Ranking of every Major League Soccer championship game

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking on one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY operates independently and this does not affect our coverage.