It’s not a real rivalry until the games actually mean something greater.

Red Bulls-New York City FC is getting to that point.

For the second straight season, the Red Bulls will play host to their cross-river rival in the U.S. Open Cup. They will play in their fourth-round game at Red Bull Arena on either June 5 or 6.

“When I knew who we could draw, I knew who we would draw,” Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said with a chuckle after Thursday’s practice. “And I figured we would be playing at home because they can’t always get access to the Stadium. I think it was drawn that way.

“Whatever. Whatever it is, you’ve got to step up and be ready. We’ll be missing a lot of guys for international break. So will they. We’ll put everything into it. So will they. It’ll be fun.”

The Red Bulls have a 7-3-1 all-time edge in all competitions, including a 4-0 beating of NYCFC on May 5 in this year’s first installment of the Hudson River Derby and a 1-0 victory last June 14 in their only prior U.S. Open Cup clash.

The U.S. Open Cup hasn’t been kind to NYCFC, which is winless after bowing out of both the 2015 and 2016 editions at the hands of the New York Cosmos from the second division NASL. But this is inarguably the best team NYCFC has had. As a matter of fact, they and the Red Bulls may be the best two teams in MLS.

The Red Bulls are 7-3-0 for 21 points, while NYCFC is 7-3-3 for 24 points. They are first and third respectively in points-per-game. Even with both rosters hit hard by international duty, it promises to be a juicy matchup this early in the tournament, with the survivor getting either the New England Revolution or Louisville City FC in the Round of 16.