New York City FC need a win.

Badly.

Red Bull New York aren’t too far behind their Hudson River rivals in that category after both MLS clubs started their regular seasons strongly, only to see that success disappear over the past two months.

It’s set the stage for a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup showdown at Sports Illustrated Stadium between the sides Wednesday with potentially more on the line than just the chance to advance in the tournament.

“We are aware of the fact that we are in a stretch where the performances have been, apart from a few matches, have been pretty decent. But the score didn’t go our way and that’s completely on ourselves,” NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen said. “It’s extra helpful when you know you play a rival. That motivates even a little bit more in some cases, so it can also help us get away from the performances and especially the results from the last few games.”

NYCFC have not won a league match since March 14, when they defeated the Colorado Rapids at Yankee Stadium, and their only win in April came against USL League One side Westchester SC in the Open Cup. And just as concerning has been the way NYCFC have allowed points to slip away, conceding goals late in matches or in stoppage time.

“That is on me, because I’m responsible,” Jansen said. “I make the decisions, and we have to look at those situations closely, because there are obviously situations where things don’t go as planned on pitch.”

The Red Bulls have faced struggles of their own, having not won an MLS match since April 4 against Cincinnati, which shut them out 2-0 last weekend.

The Red Bulls did surprise many with a strong showing in Miami earlier this month, playing to a 2-2 draw against the Messi-led club.

The young Red Bulls under first-year head coach Michael Bradley have not found consistent form just yet, but the feeling around the club appears to be in a bit more positive place compared to its New York rivals.

“I think we’ve earned the right to kind of have the respect and to show we’ve proven to the fans and to the league that we’re capable of going to Miami away and getting a point,” Red Bulls defender Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty said. “We’re a young team. We’re a new team. There’s a few things that, you know, we need to adjust, but I think we’re going in a really good way, and I think we’re all excited for what’s to come.”

The Red Bulls have gotten the better of New York City FC when it comes to elimination matches.

RBNY is 5-0-0 against their Hudson River rival when it comes to these types of games, and are 3-0-0 against NYCFC in the U.S. Open Cup.

In fact, the last time the Red Bulls toppled NYCFC with something on the line — an MLS Cup playoff match Nov. 23, 2024 — it led to New York City FC firing then-head coach Nick Cushing.