The New York Red Bulls will play host to NYCFC on Saturday setting up another edition of the Hudson River Derby. While NYC is mired in a 3-game losing skid, the Red Bulls will play their first MLS match with their new head coach manning the sidelines.
New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC Match Odds and Details
7:30 ET Kickoff @ Red Bull Arena ; Saturday, May 13
3-Way 1×2 Lines: NYRB +110 ; Draw +245 ; NYC +320
Handicap Lines: NYRB -0.5 +105 ; NYC +0.5 -115
Match Total 2.25 (2 & 2.5): Over -105 ; Under -105
Red Bulls Gear Up For Hudson River Derby Weekend
The Red Bulls will be playing their first MLS match under the guidance of new head coach Troy Lesesne, who was promoted from his assistant designation on May 8. This came in the wake of a loss to Philadelphia Union. Former coach Gerhard Struber was under heavy scrutiny for an on-the-field case of racism involving Dante Vanzeir, and the Red Bulls fans were not happy about it.
With the fans staging a protest to get Struber dismissed, the organization decided to officially claim that the parties have agreed to part ways before anything got to a boiling point.
Troy Lesesne was brought on as an assistant back in January, and now he finds himself thrust into the leading role for the first time since his 3-year stint with New Mexico United. Lesesne has already notched a win after taking out DC United in the U.S. Open Cup on May 9, just one day after the announcement that he would be finishing the year as the BYRB manager.
Game ball for W No. 1 ⚽️🙌 pic.twitter.com/k3u4SvoSTE
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) May 11, 2023
There is still a ton of work to be done for Lesesne who takes over an MLS outfit buried in the Eastern Conference basement with only 9 points to show from 11 matches. NYRB has gone 7 consecutive outings without a win in league play, their last victory coming on March 18 against Columbus, 2 – 1. That is the only win for the Red Bulls this season and the 7 goals scored are the fewest in the Eastern Conference.
With the surrounding controversy and a poor beginning to the 2023 campaign, the team decided to make the move to Lesesne hoping that there is enough time to turn the ship around. The Red Bulls have failed to advance out of the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive years, and they weren’t even the first MLS team from New York to win an MLS title despite being a charter member of MLS.
NYCFC Eyeing Turn Around Headed into Hudson River Derby Weekend
NYCFC has lost their last two MLS matches and they were bounced out of the U.S. Open Cup tournament this past week by Cincinnati. Hoping to shake off the 3-game slide, NYC is still in a playoff position holding on to the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference but there is a lot of soccer to be played before we get anywhere near the post-season.
Next Stop: Hudson River Derby 🔜
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) May 11, 2023
Leading scorer Santiago Rodriguez has found the net four times in league play but he only participated in the U.S. Open Cup loss for 30 minutes.
Brazilian duo Gabe Pereira and Talles Magno each have three tallies to their credit for NYC, and then the questions start to arise. Only three other players have scored a goal for the Blues, and the 14 goals allowed don’t add up to success when they have only scored 14 of their own.
Since taking over the Red Bulls’ sidelines in June of 2022, Nick Cushing has only accumulated a 14 – 8 – 14 record with NYC, and his tenure here will certainly depend on a strong finish to the season. This is his first full season in charge since being named permanent manager last November, and being on the road has caused many issues this year.
NYC has yet to earn a win in their travels this year facing an 0 – 2 – 4 record from 6 games outside of the Big Apple and another loss against their city rivals could prove costly while trying to maintain a positive position in the standings.
Betting on Saturday’s Hudson River Derby
Both Teams are going to score at least one goal in this match and the odds for it to happen are in our favor. At +105, you can expect no less than a 1 – 1 affair to take place on Saturday as NYC is desperate to get back on a winning track, and the Red Bulls are just as desperate to get themselves out of the Eastern Conference cellar.
NYRB Vs NYCFC ~ Both Teams To Score in the Match @ +105
