Bradley Wright-Phillips guides New York Red Bulls to win over NYCFC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:58 am

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored twice as the New York Red Bulls thrashed New York City FC 4-1 in Sunday's derby.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Sacha Kljestan played a pass through to Wright-Phillips, and the striker capably finished.

And the Red Bulls doubled their lead three minutes later when defender Ronald Zubar headed home following a corner.

NYCFC manager Patrick Vieira was then sent to the stands for protesting, but it got worse for the Eastern Conference leaders as Frederic Brillant was whistled for handling the ball in the box in the 40th minute. Kljestan converted the penalty to make it 3-0.

There was hope for NYCFC for the break as Thomas McNamara was given space and scored with a rocket from 30 yards.

Bradley Wright-Phillips' two goals helped the Red Bulls win on Sunday.
Bradley Wright-Phillips' two goals helped the Red Bulls win on Sunday.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

McNamara nearly repeated the feat early in the second half, but this time his effort struck the underside of the bar, and 10 minutes later Wright-Phillips sealed the game with his second goal of the game.

Alex Muyl headed forward a long kick from Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles, and Wright-Phillips raced onto the ball, cut back to put Josh Saunders out of position and scored his 11th of the year.

As tempers threatened to boil over between the local rivals in the late stages, Ethan White was sent off in the 89th minute after picking up a second yellow card.

The Red Bulls claimed the season series two wins to one, but they still trail NYCFC by two points for first place in the East.