Mark Smith-Imagn Images The Red Bulls toppled No. 3 seed FC Cincinnati in two games of a best-of-three in round one, while NYCFC took down the defending MLS Cup champs, the Columbus Crew, in three games. But the Red Bulls’ quick series win and the ...

NYCFC welcomes the New York Red Bulls to Citi Field Saturday for the MLS Eastern Conference Playoffs semifinal. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's soccer odds around the NYCFC vs.

New York Red Bulls take on New York City FC in the first MLS Cup playoffs Hudson River Derby. Julian Hall is ready to play his part.

NYCFC may be the younger brother, but they can claim to have surpassed the Red Bulls in terms of postseason achievement. Despite being one of the league's founding clubs the Red Bulls - formerly the MetroStars - have never won a championship .

NYCFC seeks its first championship since 2021, when it won the MLS Cup in its lone appearance in the final. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, still seek the first championship in the history of a franchise that debuted in 1994. Their only appearance in the final came in 2008.

Since the MLS Cup doesn't take place at a neutral location, the host team is determined by the Supporters' Shield rankings. Due to the Eastern Conference losing the top three representatives, it means that the odds are quite slim for an Eastern Conference side to host the Cup.

As a result, the teams will play the first-ever Hudson River Derby in the MLS Cup Playoffs. NYCFC will try to repeat their recent derby performance, for the Pigeons won 5-1 at Red Bull Arena. The New Jersey side will want revenge. Therefore, fans expect this to be a highly contested battle and a fantastic Conference Semifinal matchup.