New York City FC 1, New York Red Bulls 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls opened 2018 Heineken Rivalry Week with a NY Derby full of blood and thunder, as the teams played to a 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, in a game where the home side finished with nine men after picking up two red cards.

The Red Bulls opened the scoring in the 37th minute, as Bradley Wright-Phillips scored with a backwards diving header off a recirculated play following a corner kick. That was Wright-Phillips' 200th goal in his professional career, according to the Red Bulls.

Moments later, NYCFC midfielder Eloi Amagat, in his MLS debut, was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Marc Rzatkowski, putting the home side further behind the ball.

But NYCFC didn't give up, and a nice set-up from Maxi Moralez to Jo Inge Berget was pounced upon by David Villa, who tied up the match in the 52nd minute.

Despite that, NYCFC were dealt another blow, as Ebenezer Ofori was sent off in the 73rd minute following Video Review for a foul on Wright-Phillips after stepping on the Red Bulls' forward's leg, bringing the home side to nine men.

Goals

• 37' – RBNY – Bradley Wright-Phillips | WATCH
• 52' – NYC – David Villa | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: Both teams can take heart and be disappointed by the result in equal measure. The Red Bulls maintain their edge on NYCFC in the Supporters' Shield race and move to within two points of Atlanta United at the top, but will be disappointed they couldn't win this game. NYCFC will be heartened to come back and hold on for a draw, but two red cards are really hard to deal with for any team, especially in a derby.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Even with the red cards, Villa's goal was the key play of the match, leaving the teams to split the points.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Sebastien Ibeagha came up huge in the dying minutes to preserve the draw and worked tirelessly for 90 minutes for a shorthanded NYCFC side.

Next Up

• NYC: Saturday, September 1 at Columbus Crew SC (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info)
• RBNY: Sunday, August 26 vs. D.C. United (7 pm ET | FS1 -  TV & streaming info)