New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is hoping Sunday's historic derby is the start of something that can rival derbies across the globe.
Red Bulls welcome expansion club New York City to Red Bull Arena for the first-ever meeting between the two MLS teams.
There is "no bad blood" between the two New York teams just yet but Wright-Phillips expects that to change over the years.
"It's obviously a rivalry because we're in the same city but there's no bad blood yet. I'm sure after the first 90 minutes they'll hate us more," the Englishman told reporters.
"On a derby game day like Sunday, it just comes out naturally. Both teams, kind of the first 15 minutes, ignore the soccer side of the game and it's just a fight. I think whoever wins that battle will probably win the game.
"[The rivalry is] needed. I'm so happy they're in this league with us now. Every great league has great rivalries. Man City-Man United, Liverpool-Everton, all the big cities have those kinds of rivalries.
"For New York to have one, it's going to be really good. The old enemy, DC [United] that's a nice one, we actually have a history with them, but I'm sure this one will be big for years to come."
FC Dallas - top of the West due to Vancouver Whitecaps' inferior goal difference - clash with reigning champions Los Angeles Galaxy.
