New York City FC delivered a statement performance in the Hudson River Derby, defeating New York Red Bulls 3–1 in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on April 29, 2026, at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The victory not only secured progression to the quarterfinals but also marked a historic breakthrough for NYCFC in this competition against their regional rivals.
The match was defined by efficiency and precision on set pieces, with all three NYCFC goals coming from headers off deliveries by club legend Maximiliano Moralez. Moralez orchestrated the attack with pinpoint service, assisting goals from Kai Trewin, Raul Gustavo, and captain Thiago Martins. His performance etched his name into club history, as he became NYCFC’s all-time assist leader in U.S. Open Cup play and joined a rare group of players to record three assists in a single match in the tournament since 1995.
Defender Kai Trewin opened the scoring with his first-ever goal for the club, a composed header that set the tone early. Raul Gustavo followed suit, also netting his first career goal for NYCFC with a powerful header into the top corner. Captain Thiago Martins capped the scoring with his first goal of the 2026 season—his third overall for the club—and notably his first cup goal in over a decade, dating back to his time in Brazil with Palmeiras. The trio of defenders stepping up offensively underscored NYCFC’s dominance in dead-ball situations.
Beyond the scoreline, the win carried deeper historical significance. Prior to this match, NYCFC had lost all three previous Open Cup meetings against the Red Bulls and had failed to score a single goal in those contests. This 3–1 victory not only snapped that streak but also improved their all-time Open Cup record to 7-6-2 and gave them their first-ever win over the Red Bulls in the tournament (now 1-3-0). It was a symbolic shift in a rivalry that had previously leaned heavily in favor of the Red Bulls in knockout competition.
The match also featured a notable individual milestone, as forward Malachi Jones made his first start of the 2026 season and his first career Open Cup start. His return to the lineup was particularly meaningful given his recovery from a fractured leg suffered in June 2024. His presence added depth and resilience to the squad on a night where NYCFC showcased both quality and determination.
With this result, NYCFC advances to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals for just the third time in club history, matching their deepest previous runs in 2019 and 2022. The team will now look to build on this momentum as they pursue their first-ever Open Cup title, having finally overcome a long-standing hurdle against their biggest local rivals.
