Saturday’s Hudson River Derby is the highlight of a busy MLS week that features two matchdays and the beginning of voting for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime.
Hudson River Derby Highlights New York Sports Equinox
It’s a New York rivalry equinox on Saturday as Red Bull New York host New York City FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium while in Queens, the New York Yankees take the subway to face the New York Mets.
This will mark the second time in New York sports history that both the Hudson River Derby and Subway Series have happened on the same day. In regular season play, it’s been recent domination from New York City FC, who have won each of the last four matchups against Red Bull, outscoring them 12-4 in those games.
However, with a youth movement in full swing for the home team, Red Bull New York will look to flip the script and earn a victory on a special New York sports equinox.
MLS Alumni Shine Abroad in 2025-26 Season
With many European seasons coming to an end, MLS alumni have made their mark across each of the top leagues.
In England, former Philadelphia Union academy product Brenden Aaronson had a standout year for Leeds United in the Premier League. His nine goals and assists were the fourth-most among all American players in the top five European leagues, and Leeds had their best Premier League season since 2020-21. Another standout has been former Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who has played every single minute for a Bournemouth side that is looking to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
Elsewhere, Cucho Hernández did Cucho things in La Liga for Real Betis. The 2023 MLS Cup MVP has scored 10 times and added three assists as the main forward for a Betis team that will likely head back to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. Lastly in Italy, Canadian Men’s National Team and former CF Montréal midfielder Ismaël Koné has been sensational for Sassuolo ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026.
MLS alumni continue to make a name for themselves around the globe, and they will be next in action at the World Cup in a few weeks.
Voting Opens Wednesday for 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime
The All-Star voting process begins on Wednesday for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime in Charlotte, N.C., which includes participation by fans, players, and media.
The best talent in North America will take center stage in the Queen City, with the first 11 players determined by a combined vote of MLS fans, players, and media members. These groups will cast their votes for 11 players in a 4-3-3 formation: one goalkeeper, one right back, two center backs, one left back, one defensive midfielder, two attacking midfielders, and three forwards/wingers.
Who will be representing MLS in Charlotte on July 29? It’s up to each club’s fans to try and get their stars to Bank of America Stadium this summer.
Playoff Revenge a Possibility on Wednesday Night
Three games on Wednesday evening will be rematches of 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs contests, with the home sides all looking to get revenge.
Matchday 13 features Charlotte FC hosting New York City FC, as the Crown aim to bounce back after losing both home games in the Round One Best-of-3 Series last year against New York. Staying in the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati square off against Inter Miami CF, looking to get rid of the sour taste from a 4-0 defeat in the Conference Semifinals last season.
In the West, FC Dallas has looked like a hungry team in 2026 and that will be put to the test against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who defeated them in Round One last season. With a super-charged Wednesday night, these three rematches should be feisty coming off of last season’s playoffs.
