Andrés Perea goal gets NYCFC a derby draw

After a rocky first half in which Maxi Moralez was lost to a serious-looking injury, New York City FC salvaged a 1-1 draw with Red Bull New York on Saturday night in Harrison, New Jersey.

Jorge Ruvalcaba tapped in the opening goal for the host Red Bulls in the 44th minute, but Andrés Perea leveled things early in the second half with his first goal of the season, which was, to no surprise, off a set piece.

NYCFC came close multiple times to stealing all three points, but in the end had to settle for a single point. New York City has not lost to the Red Bulls in four games and is undefeated in its last six MLS regular-season games against them.

Now riding a three-match unbeaten streak, NYCFC will next play at Columbus Crew in the US Open Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night, followed by another MLS road game at Nashville SC on Saturday to close out the pre-World Cup half of the season.

Maxi Moralez injured

Just 17 days ago, Moralez tallied three assists as NYCFC got its first-ever win over the Red Bulls in an elimination game, a 3-1 victory in the Open Cup Round of 16.

On Saturday, Maxi Moralez made his 21st appearance against the Red Bulls, the most out of any player in the derby. With 12 goal contributions — five goals, seven assists — he needed just one goal to become the second all-time leading scorer and one assist to become the all-time leading assister, but his night was cut short.

In the 35th minute, Moralez tried to tackle the ball away from Justin Che, but suffered what seems to be a non-contact injury to his left knee — the 39-year-old couldn't walk off the field on his own and had to be carted off.

Here’s a video of Maxi Moralez’s injury. Really hope it isn’t anything too serious for the 39-year-old. https://t.co/y42BLpoCHa pic.twitter.com/cOL3If0Mt2

— Matthew Mangam (@MatthewMangam) May 17, 2026

To make matters worse, the Red Bulls took the lead through Jorge Ruvalcaba minutes later.

Moralez previously suffered an ACL tear in his right knee in September 2023, returned in May 2024, and hasn't looked back since, making 82 appearances and recording 25 assists. If it's another serious injury, it's fair to wonder if Moralez would return to the pitch again, given his age.

Another set-piece goal in the derby

New York City trailed 1-0 after a poor first half, putting neither of its two shots on target and struggling to maintain possession. Additionally, once Moralez got hurt, NYCFC looked dejected and flat.

But Moralez's replacement in the midfield, Andrés Perea, came up big in the 52nd minute, heading home the equalizing goal off Nico Fernández Mercau's free-kick service.

HAZ LO TUYO, ANDRÉS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t9WHnqS7hr

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) May 17, 2026

It was Perea's first goal since returning from a right leg fracture he suffered in November 2025 against Charlotte FC in the MLS Cup Playoffs. It was also Perea's third career goal against the Red Bulls, all of which he's scored at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Although New York City lacked creativity offensively, it took advantage of the Red Bulls' major weakness, scoring a fourth set-piece goal of the season against them.

NYCFC had multiple chances through substitute Malachi Jones to earn a come-from-behind victory, but he ultimately never found that game-winning goal.