In the end, shifting the Hudson River rivalry from MLS to US Open Cup did little to shift the balance of power in the match-up between New York Red Bulls and New York City FC. The first meeting between the teams in USOC yielded RBNY’s sixth victory in seven games between the two MLS NY sides.
So the grand narrative of a lopsided rivalry continues, for which the Red Bulls have Daniel Royer to thank, first and foremost. The Austrian started the match on the bench but was subbed in at half-time for Mike Grella, and rewarded that decision with a lively, goal-scoring performance.