Red Bulls Preparing For Big Hudson River Derby in the U.S. Open Cup

By Daniel Feuerstein | Harrison, NJ | April 29th, 2026

After a big third-round victory in the U.S. Open Cup against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Red Bull New York is about to face their in-town rivals in New York City FC, as they prepare to put out their full squad to take on the blue side of New York. Bragging rights so far have been a big one whenever these two sides in Major League Soccer come together, and no matter when it is. A regular season match, a playoff match, an Open Cup Match, or a Leagues Cup match, these two sides are going to get after it, and they will be ready as the match will be played at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The first three matches in the U.S. Open Cup against NYCFC have all been victories by the Red Bulls. Daniel Royer has scored two goals in two Open Cup games, and all three matches have been clean-sheet victories. a one-goal win, a four-goal win, and a three-goal win. No matter what happens in the Open Cup, the Red Bulls continue to stay ahead of NYCFC and earn the victory to knock them out. While this season might feel a little bit different during the MLS Regular Season for both sides, this is still a Derby, and both sides will make sure to get an advantage on the pitch.

“We’re very, very excited. Big Cup game, Derby. I think at this point in the season, it’s… It’s the perfect game and the perfect time. And so we’re really excited to step on the field and, yeah, play a big game, test ourselves against a good team, and really go after things,” said Michael Bradley. “It’ll be interesting to see how the game plays out. We spent a good amount of time over the last few days going through New York City. We took the players through some video this morning. And they’re a good team. They have good players. They have interesting ideas. Certain ideas that are similar to ours, but obviously… their own style for sure. And so it’s, in my eyes, two good teams, two good teams that want to put the game on their terms, two good teams that want to play football, two good teams that want to attack and score goals. We’ll see on the night which team can hold the edge.”

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty will get his first taste of the Hudson River Derby when the Open Cup comes into play, but he isn’t a stranger to those types of games. Before coming to Red Bull New York, he was originally brought up through the Toronto FC academy and played on the first team, then went to the enemy in CF Montreal, before being traded to the Red Bulls for Wiki Carmona. So Marshall-Rutty knows a thing or two about Derbies. Toronto Vs. Montreal has that and then some, just like what will happen on Wednesday night.

“I played in some derbies in the MLS before, but I know this one’s important, not just for the fans, but for us. A real chance to win a trophy in the Open Cup, so we’re coming into this game, and we’re taking it very seriously. And obviously, it’s a derby as well. So you know, I don’t really think I think that’s motivation for itself. You know, the Hudson River Derby, they call it. Yeah, so obviously, a few other players said, you know, it’s a big game. But I already knew, before that, that it’s a big game. You know, so I think we’re all ready for it, and we’re excited for sure for the opportunity next to the dance,” said Jahkelle Marshall-Rutty

Since joining the club, Marshall-Rutty has worked well along the right side, linking up with both Ronald Donkor and Cade Cowell. There is already a sense of chemistry working well with these three, and when they get together, it feels like they know what the other is thinking. While there have been a few assists, the danger is out there for the opposition, and they will put everyone on notice what they will be facing when they are out on the pitch.

“The first day I came in, Michael sat me down, Julian de Guzman sat me down, and he said, ‘You know, we have a bunch of young, good players, and you’ll fit right in.’ And I think from day one, I felt that. You know, we have a lot of young players. And, you know, good players are kind of easy to play with. So, for example, Justin Che, Ronald Donkor, and Cade Cowell. These players are easy to play with on the right side. So, yeah, you know, credit to them for kind of, you know, just making me so comfortable so quickly. But I think we formed a good relationship. Good chemistry on that side, and I said it before: you know, it comes from training the way we train, you know, the relationships we form and the way we compete in training, and then obviously that goes into the game. So, yeah, I mean, great, great young players, but I think the whole team, if you played them on the right side, I would link up with, because that just shows the kind of team we have,” said Marshall-Rutty

Back in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup, the Red Bulls played NYCFC for the very first time after several regular-season matches in MLS. Then, Head Coach Jesse Marsch had to serve a one-match suspension due to a red card he received from the referee in a loss at the Philadelphia Union when he protested several calls and spiked the ball on the pitch at Subaru Park. Chris Armas, who was his assistant coach, was the man to lead the club in the Open Cup. The match remained scoreless till the final five minutes in regulation when Daniel Royer converted the only goal of the match and advanced the club to the next round.

The following year, after the Red Bulls scored a four-nil thrashing in League play, they did it again at midweek several days later at Sports Illustrated Stadium using a rotated squad in 2018; this time, Marsch was available inside his technical area and got the same result with a four-nil thrashing as well. The players will be ready, and Michael Bradley will have them ready after their loss to FC Cincinnati on the road. This will be an amazing match.

RED BULL NEW YORK Vs. NYCFC AT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED STADIUM 7:00 PM EDT ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK BROADCASTERS: SEAN SAINT JACQUES & GARY BAILEY

The Hudson River Derby is back as Red Bull New York hosts NYCFC, as the bragging rights will have double the power to see who will come out on top, with the chance to advance into the Quarterfinals.

Bad Dawg Sports will be there for every minute—sharp, direct, and on the ground as the Red Bulls continue with their youth movement as they take on anyone from Major League Soccer. Subscribe today for just $2 per year.