NEW YORK – Patrick Vieira has played in some of the most storied rivalries in the world – the Milan Derby, the North London Derby, and the Manchester Derby, to name a few.
And while the New York City FC coach said it is not fair to compare the New York Derby to European rivalries boasting decades of history, there is already quite a bit of heat to the match-up with New York Red Bulls, which resumes Saturday afternoon at Red Bull Arena (1:30 pm ET, FOX in US, MLS LIVE in Canada).
Of course, history in this derby has been decidedly red to this point, a fact Vieira said annoys his blue-clad side.
“We want to turn things around,” Vieira said Tuesday at Major League Soccer headquarters in the lead-up to Heineken Rivalry Week. “I think when you play seven and lose six, it’s painful. There’s no doubt about it. This is something I’m not happy about and not satisfied about and we have to start turning it around.”
The teams played in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on June 14, with the Red Bulls earning a 1-0 win thanks to a dominant second half. NYCFC’s lone victory in the three-year-old rivalry came last July 3 at Yankee Stadium.
But it was the infamous 7-0 drubbing at home on May 21, 2016 that has haunted NYCFC ever since.
“Of course for us losing the game at home seven-nil, it is something that is still on our mind and something we want to turn around,” Vieira said. “It will be important for us to start winning those games.”
Following a 4-1 loss to the Red Bulls last July, Vieira inserted himself into the rivalry by taking a shot at Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch, claiming he influenced the officials with his comments leading up to the game.
There were no additional shots fired on Tuesday, just a playful jab by Vieira at Marsch, who was in Poland as part of his training to obtain a UEFA Pro License.
“There’s no tension,” Vieira said. “It was Jesse’s fault. I can say whatever, he’s not here.”
Vieira said their war of words last year is just part of the fabric of the derby. “I’m sure you guys love it as well because this is part of what makes you excited,” he said.
There are philosophical differences between the teams, but Vieira complimented the job Marsch has done with the Red Bulls.
“I have a massive respect for Jesse for what he’s doing with the Red Bulls,” Vieira said. “I think he’s been doing a fantastic job since he got the job. That’s it. After, of course, there is the tension because both of us want to win games, but I have big respect for him.”
On Tuesday, Vieira also denied any interest in filling a current manager vacancy at Premier League side Southampton, despite reportedly being the front-runner to land the job.
“No, of course not because I’m part of a really good project and my heart and my mind are into that project,” Vieira said. “I’m really happy where I am at the moment.”
Vieira did take a subtle dig at Marsch’s squad. When asked what was the first thing he thinks of when he hears Red Bulls, Vieira laughed and offered his response.
“New Jersey.”
