The rivalry match, part of Major League Soccer’s Hudson River Derby playoffs, generated considerable hype, but the excitement faded within the first 25 minutes.

The New York Red Bulls secured a 2-0 victory over New York City FC in their conference semifinal game on Saturday night at Citi Field, thanks to early goals from Felipe Carballo Ares and Dante Vanzeir.

With this win, the Red Bulls triumphed over their New York rivals and advanced to the MLS Cup conference finals for the first time since 2018. They will now face the winner of the semifinal game between Orlando City and Atlanta United on Sunday.

In the 16th minute, Carballo scored with a powerful left-foot strike from outside the penalty area following a clearance from his goalkeeper. Shortly after, in the 25th minute, Vanzeir capitalized on a corner kick that rebounded off the right post to score their second goal.

This contest marked the 30th overall meeting between the two teams and their first postseason encounter. Although the second half saw increased intensity, the Red Bulls maintained their lead built from the first half.

The Red Bulls, seeded seventh in the playoffs, previously upset the second-seeded Columbus Crew, the reigning MLS champions, in their first-round match.

This victory ranks as the second-largest upset of the playoffs, following Atlanta United’s elimination of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

On the other hand, sixth-seeded NYCFC managed to defeat third-seeded FC Cincinnati, last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, in a shocking first-round result.

With the top three seeds out of the running, the path to the MLS Cup final on December 7 has opened up for the Red Bulls.

Historically, the Red Bulls have reached the MLS Cup once, way back in 2008, where they lost to the Columbus Crew. They also boast the longest ongoing playoff appearance streak in North America’s major men’s professional sports, making the postseason for 15 consecutive years.

NYCFC, who won the MLS Cup in 2021 against the Portland Timbers, had a better regular season finish than the Red Bulls and has historically dominated recent Hudson River Derby clashes, winning the last two prior to this playoff match.

NYCFC shares its home games between Citi Field and Yankee Stadium and this week revealed the name of its upcoming soccer-specific stadium, Ethiad Park, which is set to open in 2027.

Check out the highlights from the New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls playoff match.

Dante Vanzeir Goal: New York Red Bulls 2, NYCFC 0

The Red Bulls extended their lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute.

Dante Vanzeir made a crucial play, reacting quickly to a ball that came off the right post after a corner kick and finding the back of the net.

Felipe Carballo Goal: New York Red Bulls 1, NYCFC 0

A remarkable strike indeed. In the 16th minute, Felipe Carballo put the Red Bulls ahead 1-0 with a well-placed left-footed shot.

Scoring first has been a winning strategy for the Red Bulls; their record when doing so stands at 10 wins, 1 loss, and 5 draws, including the playoffs.

How to Watch NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls Playoff Game

You can watch the NYCFC vs. RBNY game live on MLS Season Pass through Apple TV.

Starting Lineups for NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls

Here are the starting players for both teams from Saturday:

Game Location for NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls

The match took place on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Citi Field, Queens, New York.

NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls Playoff Game Details

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Not available
• Stream: Via Apple TV
• Location: Citi Field, Queens, New York

Betting Odds for NYCFC vs. New York Red Bulls

According to BetMGM, betting odds post-regulation are: New York City FC (+115), New York Red Bulls (+210), and a tie (+240). The over/under line is set at 2.5 total goals.

Odds to Win the MLS Championship

According to BetMGM, the championship odds for the league are: 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).

Upcoming 2024 MLS Playoff Schedule

• • Nov. 23-24: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
  • Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Conference finals