In the 33rd Hudson River Derby, New York City defeated Red Bull New York, 3-1, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time since 2022 and third time overall.
It also marked the first time NYCFC defeated the Red Bulls in an elimination game and was their third straight win at Sports Illustrated Stadium, as Maxi Moralez's three corner-kick assists — all scored by defenders — made the difference on Wednesday.
Kai Trewin gave New York City the lead — his first goal for the club — in the ninth minute, but 18-year-old wunderkind Julian Hall tied things up five minutes later with a goal against the run of play. It was another corner-kick goal for NYCFC right before halftime, as Raul Gustavo headed home his first-ever goal in blue to give his side a 2-1 lead.
The third time was the charm to start the second half, as Maxi Moralez's corner found the head of Thiago Martins, who scored his second-ever goal against the Red Bulls to give his side a two-goal advantage.
New York City: 10 shots, 4 shots on target, 46% possession, 431 passes, 81% pass accuracy, 17 fouls, 11 corners, 4 saves
Red Bulls: 9 shots, 5 shots on target, 54% possession, 509 passes, 86% pass accuracy, 12 fouls, 6 corners, 1 save
Goals:
• New York City, Kai Trewin, 9'
• Red Bull New York, Julian Hall, 14'
• New York City, Raul Gustavo, 39'
• New York City, Thiago Martins, 57'
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Maxi's set-piece perfection
Maxi Moralez loves playing against the Red Bulls.
The 39-year-old entered Wednesday night with four goals and four assists in 19 games against NYCFC's bitter rivals, and once again came up big when it mattered most.
New York City has been struggling to defend set pieces all season long, but managed to score off a corner kick assisted by Moralez in the ninth minute. It was historic: Kai Trewin became the first Australian to score in club history and marked the first time NYCFC has scored against the Red Bulls in an elimination game.
HOPPING LIKE A KAI-NGAROOOOO 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/Ddww1hZ5wO
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) April 29, 2026
With the score tied at 1-1 right before halftime, New York City cashed in on a Moralez corner kick once again. This time, Raul Gustavo rose the highest, heading home his first-ever goal for NYCFC and giving them a 2-1 lead at the break.
RISING HIGHEST ONCE AGAIN ✈️ pic.twitter.com/l9xgJYyD56
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) April 29, 2026
Moralez made it a hat trick of assists in the 57th minute, as Thiago Martins' header past goalkeeper John McCarthy gave New York City a 3-1 lead — the goal marked the captain's third-ever for NYCFC and second all-time against the Red Bulls.
A HAT-TRICK OF CORNERS 😤 pic.twitter.com/FU0Yf99SAt
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) April 30, 2026
Those assists were Moralez's fifth, sixth, and seventh all-time against the Red Bulls, a Hudson River Derby record. Additionally, Moralez's five goals in the rivalry are tied with Taty Castellanos and David Villa for the most by a New York City player, only trailing Bradley Wright-Phillips's 12 goals scored in the rivalry.
New York City FC's Maxi Moralez had three assists in tonight’s U.S. Open Cup win against Red Bull New York.
— Michael Battista (@MichaelBattista) April 30, 2026
He’s the 7th player since 1995 (start of Modern Era) to get three. The record is four.
(2005 R3 - Sascha Gorres (Richmond Kickers) v Ocean City Barons)#NYCFC #USOC2026 pic.twitter.com/hxryaPdbve
A first start in 22 months for Malachi Jones
The last time Malachi Jones started a game for NYCFC was June 28, 2024.
But just 22 minutes into that match, Jones collided with Orlando City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, fracturing both his right tibia and fibula — a gruesome injury that kept the eighth overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft out until April 11, 2026, when he came off the bench against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
With Hannes Wolf out for the second straight game, Pascal Jansen gave Jones his first start in over 22 months, once again leaving Talles Magno on the bench.
Jones, who was replaced by Talles Magno to start the second half, played 45 minutes, totaling 15 touches — one in the Red Bulls box — completed his only dribble attempt, and recorded three recoveries.
It's clear the 22-year-old is still easing back from his injury, but he's a key left-winger for a New York City side that still needs consistent goal scorers not named Nico Fernández Mercau.
First win in an elimination game
Despite winning four of the last five Hudson River Derby meetings, New York City still trailed the Red Bulls badly in elimination games, losing all five previous knockout matches — three in the Open Cup, once in Leagues Cup, and once in Major League Soccer playoffs.
That trend ended on Wednesday night, as NYCFC advanced to the Open Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2022. Despite being winless in its last six games in MLS play, New York City's 13th-ever win over the Red Bulls will surely provide some much-needed momentum heading into the month of May.
• Red Bull New York, Mohammed Sofo, yellow card, 86′
• New York City, Nico Fernández Mercau, yellow card, 90+3'
Officials
• Referee: Chris Penso
• Assistant referees: Diego Blas, Rhett Hammil
• Fourth official: Ricardo Montero Araya
