The New York Red Bulls go against New York City FC in an East semifinal in the MLS Playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Dante Vanzeir notched an assist on a first-half goal by Felipe Carballo and then scored nine minutes later, and Carlos Coronel made them stand up by posting his seventh career clean sheet against New York City FC in the New York Red Bulls' 2-0 victory in an Eastern Conference semifinal at Citi Field.

The match between the two rival New York soccer clubs comes with a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Final in the MLS playoffs.

NYCFC seeks its first championship since 2021, when it won the MLS Cup in its lone appearance in the final. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, still seek the first championship in the history of a franchise that debuted in 1994. Their only appearance in the final came in 2008.

BOTTOM LINE: A game after shutting out Cincinnati 0-0, New York City FC plays the New York Red Bulls. NYCFC is 14-7-8 in conference matchups. NYCFC is 7-2-2 when it scores two goals. The Red Bulls are 11-9-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. The Red Bulls rank sixth in the Eastern Conference with 55 goals led by Lewis Morgan with 13.

The goals sealed the Red Bulls’ progress into the Eastern Conference final, where they will play one of Atlanta United or Orlando City. They also gave them local bragging rights and a win in the first-ever Hudson River Derby in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Red Bulls sounded like a team that was ready to collect some apologies. After being doubted going into the playoffs, and facing questions going into their conference semifinal against rival New York City FC — a first in the history of the Hudson River Derby — they picked up a 2-0 win at Citi Field to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2018.