The NYC-area clubs are meeting in the playoffs for the first time, elevating the Hudson River Derby to new heights

Daniel Edelman made one thing clear when asked about the upcoming Hudson River Derby in the MLS Playoffs.

"It's going to be a dirty game," the New York Red Bulls midfielder emphasized to GOAL.

This weekend, in the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals, Edelman and the Red Bulls will face their crosstown rivals, New York City FC, with a spot in the Conference Finals – and a chance to compete for the 2024 MLS Cup – on the line.

This marks the 30th edition of the Hudson River Derby, a rivalry that began when City entered MLS in 2015. It has featured unforgettable matches and fan moments but has also experienced lulls in intensity as both clubs haven't always been at the forefront of New York's crowded sports landscape. However, the drama and intrigue have returned this season, fueled by the resurgent playoff runs of both teams.

Sixth-seeded NYCFC are coming off a brilliant Round 1 performance, where they beat No. 3 ranked FC Cincinnati in three games, while No. 7 RBNY stunned No. 2 seeded Columbus Crew – the reigning champions of the league, in two matches. Both have their own respective underdog stories they're riding this postseason and the runs from the two teams have reignited fan passion towards the rivalry, especially with it being the first time they will meet in the MLS postseason.

“It’s like a war to be fair, but with two New York City teams. There's been huge wins for New York City and huge wins for the Red Bulls, and this one will be really telling, because it's a playoff game," Edelman explained.

NYCFC midfielder and U.S. international James Sands, meanwhile, is confident as ever.

"It's our first playoff derby. So I think a lot of people are looking forward to it. It's home, which is great for us. So I definitely have some really good feelings going into the weekend," the NYCFC star midfielder said.

Sands' good feelings could be down to City's showings against the Red Bulls this season. The Pigeons won both matches this season, including a 5-1 thrashing in September. Still, the team's New Jersey-based counterparts have historically held the advantage with a 15-10-4 (W-L-D) record.

With all of those factors considered and the stakes involved, this weekend's action will likely deliver new heights for the rivalry.

GOAL looks at what to expect.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportNYC is blue in 2024, so far

“It's another opportunity to kind of establish the top team in this area. And, you know, this has been such a hotly contested series over the years," Sands said, sharing his excitement for the forthcoming match with a smile on his face.

It's peak MLS action between two of the best in the Conference, and a clash between two fanbases, player pool and clubs that at times have had strong distaste for each other. However, there are layers to the match.

New York has decidedly been Blue in 2024, with the taking both regular season matches against their rivals. In May, they secured a 2-1 victory at Citi Field, and in September, they manhandled RBNY 5-1 at Red Bull Arena.

"I think the first game was, you know, a really strong performance from our team," Sands said. "A lot of the play was how we wanted it to look. And I think we deservedly won on that night. And it set up a good stretch of wins for us at that point in the season. And then this most recent game was also another really crucial time in the season. We were kind of jostling for table position with them, so it was really big, and then to win in the fashion we did, it makes that a little bit more special."

Sands knows his side won't have it as easy as it did in September.

"I think the game this weekend is going to be a totally different feel. It's going to be a little more cagey, a little more teams feeling each other out than maybe the past two games, but I think we're feeling pretty confident going into it."

AdvertisementIMGANThe rise of the Red Bulls in postseason

On the other end, for the Red Bulls, it was the lowest moment of their season. For young Edelman, 21, who sported the captain's armband that day, it's a moment that he chooses not to dwell on. He's excited about the opportunity to potentially advance to the conference finals as a result of beating the team's heated rivals.

“I think every time you take the field against NYCFC and you see the blue, you just want to go out there, and you just want to put flying tackles in, and you want to make all the recovery runs and just make as many dynamic plays as you can going forward. Because it's a battle." Edelman said. "So for me personally, it's another dog fight mentality game, and now there's something really on the line to advance into the next round.”

The homegrown midfielder has become a staple in the club's XI, starting 51 of his 54 professional appearances with the club over the past two years. In their Round 1 playoff victory over the Crew, he scored the game-winning penalty kick to eliminate the reigning champions in game two.

"I've been practicing penalty kicks ever since I missed the one in the summer," Edelman said reflecting on that moment. "I proved myself that I just got to stay focused and never quit. And look, I'm so thankful I got another opportunity in the playoffs when it mattered the most, to have a chance to bury it and send us to the next round."

The U.S. youth international pointed to a strong belief that is forming in the dressing room following one of the biggest upsets in the first round.

"Like we did in game one of Columbus, it's coming in with that underdog mentality, villain era, villain arc stuff where we can come into someone's house and ruin their day," Edelman said. "And we get that we have an opportunity now to do it against the Blues, bringing them the Blues. I think no matter the conditions, we're going to be up for it. So let's, let's keep it rolling like we're not done yet."

IMGANThe challenge of playing in a MLB park

Over 25,000 are expected to be in attendance in Citi Field, a strong showing from the Pigeons faithful. For NYCFC, Sands believes it will be a potential difference-maker for the home side Saturday as the team has a 10-4-3 record at home, despite being largely split across two stadiums between Citi Field in Queens and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

"Our fans do such a good job making such a strong atmosphere, and that as players, we really do get that boost on the pitch," Sands "And I think think of the big games that we've had this year, like Miami at Yankee Stadium, you know, the first Derby at Citi Field. Those big games, the fans really step up and, you know, make it a tough place to play."

Part of NYCFC's advantage at home is having more experience in smaller pitch that has to be used at a baseball stadium. Edelman notes its definitely something the Red Bulls are preparing for.

"We're still trying to treat it just like another regular game…But for us, we're looking at it as it's a great opportunity to get revenge on them, because they got us two times this year," Edelman said. "We're just kind of trying to look at film for the past two matches and really just see what we can do better and change and build off the momentum of the Columbus series."

Getty Images SportThe stakes are high

There's a lot on the line for the two clubs, too. There's a clear path for both sides to MLS Cup 2024, and potential pathways to hosting the Eastern Conference final, too. However, both sides are determined to stay in the moment ahead of what's expected to be a contentious, and feisty, match.

With a potential run to the MLS Cup at hand, the tension escalates to a whole new level.

"It's really more about the fight," Sands said. "[The playoff implications] definitely add a little bit more spice to the game. And just seeing how the other results in the East have gone, it's a really open field at the moment," he continued. "I think both teams probably sense a real opportunity to make a run at MLS Cup."

Edelman shares that sentiment, eagerly anticipating the showdown.

"It's going to be a tenacious war," he said.

As Saturday night approaches, thousands across the tri-state area will be watching, waiting to see whether the city will be painted red or blue.