New York City FC drew 1-1 with Red Bulls in Harrison on Friday night.
Hereâs Managing Editor Mark Booth with five things we learned from a pulsating Hudson River Derby matchâĤ
The Balance of Play
Red Bulls may have had the lionâs share of the gameâs best chances but this was a match that NYCFC could have won on another day.
As Patrick Vieira said in his post-game press conference, it was a soft penalty award which allowed the hosts to equalize 15 minutes from the spot after Maxi Moralez had put the visitors ahead.
The Frenchman was also disappointed that his team were not awarded a spot-kick of their own when David Villaâs header appeared to come back off Alex Muylâs arm late on.
Although Jesse Marschâs men struck the woodwork twice on either side of halftime and had more clear opportunities, NYCFCâs threat seemed to increase as the night wore on.
The home sideâs pressing had forced us to retreat deep into our own half for sections of the game but this approach seemed to take his toll on Red Bulls in the late going and there were definitely spaces for the Boys in Blue to exploit in the dying embers.
That said, Vieira was satisfied with the point and no one in sky blue will have crossed the river back to the five boroughs feeling too disappointed with the final score, especially considering the two games that came beforeâĤ
READ: Match Recap â NYCFC 1-1 Red Bulls
The Series
We had already won the Hudson River Derby series before a ball was kicked at Red Bull Arena but NYCFC returned to the city undefeated through three MLS Regular Season games.
Following a difficult run against our neighbors in the first two seasons of our existence, a 2-0-1 record for 2017 signposts great progress and a real sense that thereâs a bright future ahead in this rivalry.
A series sweep would have been nice but weâve got to leave ourselves something to look forward to in the coming years, right?
Weâll Meet Again?
It was the fourth time NYCFC and Red Bulls have locked horns in 2017 but it might not be the lastâĤ
While we will take nothing for granted, if current form holds, NYCFC will secure a second consecutive appearance in the MLS Playoffs in November where they might once again take on a familiar foeâĤ
Could we be set for a first-ever postseason Hudson River Derby? That was the topic which dominated the post-match interviews in the locker rooms.
For eternal buster-of-bubbles (both on and off the field) Alex Ring, itâs fair to say that it doesnât really matter who we would faceâĤ
Ring told reporters: âOf course, it would probably be something special in the playoffs. I understand that from your guysâ point of view and the fans, but for me I really donât care. I came here to win and whoever stands in the way has to go.â
Fair enough.
READ:Villa Describes Spain Recall as âDream Come Trueâ
Lightning Almost Strikes Twice
Can you even imagine if this had gone in?
On the day Villa earned his recall to the Spain National Team, he came so, so close to celebrating his call-up with a second goal from the midfield this season.
Almost a carbon copy of his halfway line goal against Philadelphia, Villa had Luis Robles backpedaling and the Red Bulls âkeeper might not have got there if the shot had been just a few inches lower.
As it was, David had to settle for his ninth assist of 2017, deliciously teeing up Moralez with an improvised flick in behind the Red Bulls defense.
Man of the Match?
Ben Sweat loves a derby, it seemsâĤ
He scored the game-clinching goal last time these teams met at Red Bull Arena in June and, while the Floridian defender didnât have a chance to replicate that this time around, he did produce another excellent performance on both sides of the ball.
Itâs easy to forget now that Ben came to NYCFC without a single MLS appearance and as a trialist in January, such has been his impact since his debut against Columbus Crew in April.
Solid in the tackle, tactically intelligent and athletic enough to both defend and get forward to decisive effect, heâs been a revelation this campaign and deserves recognition for the high level of consistency heâs shown in his first season on the team.
