Sunday’s New York Derby the Most Important in Rivalry’s Short History

Major League Soccer’s youngest and fastest-growing derby takes center stage for the final time during the regular season Sunday at Red Bull Arena as the New York Red Bulls host New York City FC. 

It may be difficult to call Sunday’s meeting between the two Eastern Conference titans the most important in the rivalry’s history given the short span they have been pitted against each other, but three points for either Jesse Marsch’s or Patrick Vieira’s side could be crucial in building momentum in the playoff race and in the rivalry itself. 

As hard as it may be to imagine, especially after their rocky start, NYCFC enter Sunday as the favorite to capture a victory in the final New York derby of the regular season. City carry a three-point advantage over the second-place Philadelphia Union into the weekend, and they have opened up a five-point gap on the Red Bulls. 

Vieira and company also come into Red Bull Arena with a road record that could turn into one of the best in the league’s 21-year history. City are 6-3-1 on their travels this season with a baffling home mark of 3-3-5 in a league where home field usually is a difference-maker. 

Since the Copa America Centenario break, City have earned road victories at Seattle, New England and Montreal as well a vital home win over the Red Bulls to finally gain a foothold in a rivalry that was getting too one-sided to even be labeled with that tag. 

NYCFC have five wins in their last six games, and a fully loaded lineup causing all sorts of trouble thanks to the strong play of their three high-profile designated players Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo. Lampard, who was cast off as the worst designated player in MLS history just two months ago, is proving his worth in a major way in the middle of the park. 

Lampard’s success has mirrored that of his team since the resumption of play on June 18. The 38-year-old former Chelsea great has found the back of the net in five of the last six games. In the one match Lampard failed to score, he notched an assist. 

Villa hasn’t been on the same hot streak as Lampard, but he’s been as important to the club’s success in 2016. The current Golden Boot leader has scored on 13 occasions over 21 matches. The Spaniard’s also been the most active player in front of the net as he leads MLS in shots on goal with 49. Sebastian Giovinco is second to Villa with 36. 

With cracks apparent in the Red Bulls back line as recent as Sunday’s 2-2 draw with the Union in which they conceded a penalty and an …

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