The last time New York City FC faced its closest rivals, coach Patrick Vieira said his squad delivered a near-perfect performance in a 2-0 road win over the New York Red Bulls on June 24.
NYCFC (11-7-4) may need a repeat performance Sunday if it is to slow down the streaking Red Bulls.
The Red Bulls (11-8-2) haven't lost since that June 24 defeat to NYCFC and arrive at Yankee Stadium for Sunday's afternoon tilt in stellar form. They've won their last four MLS matches, outscoring opponents 15-3 during the sizzling stretch that has seen the Red Bulls vault up the Eastern Conference table. The Red Bulls enter Sunday's match in fourth place, just two points behind NYCFC.
"We've done well for ourselves to maintain the proper concentration," Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch told reporters this week.
Jack Harrison and Ben Sweat scored goals in NYCFC's win over the Red Bulls in June. It was the first time NYCFC came away with points at Red Bull Arena.
"We played a really good game, I would say nearly a perfect one," Vieira told reporters this week. "If we want to win this game, we need to be at our very best.
"We're playing against a team who are having a really good period at the moment," Vieira added. "They've played well, they're scoring goals, so it's going to be difficult, of course."
NYCFC is coming off a 4-0 loss to first-place Toronto, but Vieira says he's not concerned about his team's state of mind ahead of Sunday's rivalry game.
"I think it's like any other game, but of course because it's the Red Bulls, that makes it a bit more special," Vieira said. "But at the end of the day, it's three points on the table, three really important points for us, and we're going to give our best and try to get these three points."
With the Red Bulls in the Open Cup semifinals, Marsch conceded that he would be monitoring his team's fitness during Sunday's match. However, he wasn't concerned about any lack of inspiration.
"Any time you have New York City on the schedule, you know that emotions will be high and the team will be ready to perform," Marsch said.
Forward Khiry Shelton (hamstring) and defenseman Ronald Matarrita (foot) are among the key players ruled out for NYCFC.
The Red Bulls have won five of seven all-time meetings with NYCFC.
