New York City FC (NYCFC) coach Nick Cushing said there are positive signs to take ahead of the 2025 MLS season despite his side’s 2-0 defeat against city rivals New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Citi Field on Saturday night.

Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz and New York City FC coach Nick Cushing don’t expect to have to do much to get their respective squads ready for Saturday’s playoff edition of the Hudson River

NYCFC seeks its first championship since 2021, when it won the MLS Cup in its lone appearance in the final. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, still seek the first championship in the history of a franchise that debuted in 1994. Their only appearance in the final came in 2008.

The New York Red Bulls gained the ultimate bragging rights with a 2-0 win over New York City FC (NYCFC) in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Citi Field in the first-ever postseason Hudson River Derby on Saturday night.

For the first time in their 10-year Hudson River Derby history, New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls will square off in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Red Bulls sounded like a team that was ready to collect some apologies. After being doubted going into the playoffs, and facing questions going into their conference semifinal against rival New York City FC — a first in the history of the Hudson River Derby — they picked up a 2-0 win at Citi Field to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2018.