IMAGE, MATT KREMKAU FOR EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by DAVE MARTINEZ

Under Jesse Marsch, the New York Red Bulls have been a team that thrives on motivation to achieve results.

In that vein, New York City FC may have inadvertently given their cross-river rivals the ammunition they need for the third and final Hudson River Derby of the season.

Asked about the team’s mentality following Sunday’s defeat, Marsch went on, unprompted, about NYCFC’s social media behavior following the match.

“Listen man, we are all disappointed,” he said, adding, “Even when New York City puts the pictures on the internet, it gets everyone riled up.”

The content in question was a group photo shared by captain David Villa post match, featuring a jubilant and celebratory NYCFC side mugging for the camera — the kind of shot most teams reserve for post-championship winning victories.

The official NYCFC Twitter account later re-tweeted Villa’s original tweet, catching the eye of Marsch and the Red Bulls. It’s clear Marsch has taken note of the perceived slight, and will likely use it as motivation for the next time the two sides meet. That, of course, will be on July 24th as NYCFC visit the Red Bulls in Harrison.

“In down times, we look at ourselves carefully, figure out where we are at and how to get better,” Marsch said. “With the disappointment, there was still a lot of good.

“If we could have been better on the day, that game could have still been there for us.”

And with a little extra motivation, Marsch hopes his side gains that mental edge by month’s end.