While revenge isn’t top of mind for New York City FC’s Justin Haak, the chance to play a rival always gets the juices flowing for the midfielder.
In this case, it’s the New York Red Bulls.
This Saturday marks another chapter in the Hudson River Derby, an event that gained intense interest last year when the two teams faced off in the playoffs for the first time.
The Red Bulls came away with the win at the time en route to their first MLS Cup Finals appearance since 2008.
Haak commented to The Post, “I wouldn’t call it revenge, since winning this game won’t change last year’s playoff outcome; that’s history now. It’s a fresh matchup. There will be new and different players on the pitch, but our desire to win remains constant every time we face them. The emotions are always heightened in these encounters.”
The match at Citi Field will be the first taste of the rivalry for new NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen since he took over in January.
Speaking from NYCFC’s practice venue in Rockland County, Jansen shared similar thoughts about the heightened emotions typical of derby matches. He also mentioned the importance of the team embracing memories from previous games.
“Thinking back and bringing up memories from games played in the past always helps — because, like you described, emotions are there, and we have to learn from those moments to be better prepared going into the next game,” he said.
Both teams are headed into the Hudson River Derby — ironically the same weekend as the city’s two MLB teams square off in The Bronx — with an identical 5-5-3 (18 points) record, and each club is clinging to one of the final two playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.
The match presents the sides with a chance not only to get a victory after each failed to win Wednesday, but also to springboard forward as the regular season hits its stride.
“It’s a big chance to get that kind of elevation into the season,” Red Bulls defender Noah Eile told The Post by Phone. “If you could get a good result there, then we get a real big push, especially in such a big game for the whole club. I think that’s a great point to make that winning here can have a big impact on the rest of the season.”
While the Red Bulls have been good at home, they’ve struggled to find wins on the road, currently 0-4-2 away from Sports Illustrated Stadium.
New York City FC, on the other hand, has felt quite comfortable at home this year, posting a 4-2-0 record at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field combined, but are struggling to put the ball in the net.
NYCFC has not scored in their past three matches, which include a loss in the U.S. Open Cup and two prior regular-season games.
“I think as a team, we’re doing well to create chances,” Haak said. “We had a few opportunities. I would say maybe it’s just a little bit unlucky now, and guys are maybe thinking a little bit too much in front of the goal when you have a run like this.
“But with the players we have, we have absolutely no doubt that the goals are going to come.”
