Matches against rivals are always intense, and that intensity gets ratcheted up as the stakes get higher. Such was the case in 2014 when the New York Red Bulls were all that stood between the New England Revolution and their fifth MLS Cup final appearance. The Revs prevailed 2-1 in the 1st leg of the Eastern Conference finals at Red Bull Arena on Jermaine Jones’ game-winning goal, then they punched their ticket to LA with a nervy 2-2 home draw days later. A conference championship? Sweet. Over your bitter rivals? Even sweeter.
New York Red Bulls
Record: 7-3-1, 22 pts, +14
Standing: 4th in Eastern Conference (4 points below 1st; 4 points above red line)
Current Form: D-W-W-W-W
Despite winning the club’s first-ever Supporters Shield in 2013 — his first year as Red Bulls’ manager — Mike Petke inexplicably lost his job following that conference finals loss to the Revs in 2014.