It may be the first Hudson River Derby for New York City FC coach Ronny Deila, but he knows bragging rights are on the line Thursday when the Bronx Blues trek across the river to face the New York Red Bulls.
Deila has had an uneven start in charge of the reigning Eastern Conference champions. NYCFC (1-4-0) did not score its first goal of the season until its second match in the MLS Is Back tournament in Florida and fourth overall, but the Pigeons did record two wins at the event before making a quarterfinal exit at the hands of eventual tournament champion Portland.