Thursday’s joint press conference offered a ‘preview’ of the events to come Sunday as the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC help build to the simmering rivalry.
When both clubs last met in May, it was on the Red Bulls New Jersey turf with an overwhelmingly large turnout of NYCFC fans cheering for the blue in a losing effort. But that was then, this is now, and now comes with a winning streak, new focus and a hungry, loyal fanbase ready for the ‘rivalry’ to live up to its name.
At the presser, Captain David Villa downplayed the ‘revenge’ theme and brought things back to basics, the objective for Sunday is to win–and not just to win, but to win for the fans. Villa quite brilliantly put an emphasis on the fans and their passion for the Club, win or lose, now it’s time to reward them.
The question of Andrea Pirlo possibly signing with the team was posed and head coach Jason Kreis simply explained:
“I think that we’re here for what I consider to be a huge moment for soccer in this city and for this league and the game that we’re gonna have on Sunday,” Kreis said. “The players and myself are intently focused on that very important moment, and it’s not the time to talk about players that we might be adding in the transfer window.”
Right now NYCFC is working to earn the right to have a rival, so talks of acquisitions–even when it involves the likes of Pirlo, will have to wait as the team has a singular goal in mind this week: Win.
The establishment of a true rivalry between both New York clubs is good for the League as a whole. Everything’s clicking for NYCFC at this moment, with 40,000 plus fans confirmed so far to be attending meaning the eyes of a restless city will be glued to the converted pitch in a setting that’s no stranger to victory.
Rivalry Week comes to the Bronx on Sunday, June 28, 5:00PM on ESPN 2