One day after NYCFC grabbed first place in the MLS Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls took it back with an impressive win against the Philadelphia Union.

HARRISON, N.J. — Dax McCarty spend Friday night rooting for New York City FC to win its match, then spent Saturday night helping his New York Red Bulls leapfrog NYCFC in the MLS Eastern Conference standings yet again.

McCarty's header goal and overall stellar performance was key in the Red Bulls 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Union, a win that helped the Red Bulls retake the East lead in a wild week atop the standings.

In the span of four days, three different teams held onto first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. Toronto FC grabbed it on Wednesday night by virtue of a 0-0 draw, then NYCFC took the lead on the strength of its 2-0 win in Houston, a win McCarty admitted he wanted to see NYCFC pull off.

"I love it that NYCFC is winning," McCarty told Goal USA. "Honestly, people will probably think I'm crazy, but I wanted them to win last night because the race has been fun. It challenges us in different ways. Now it's going to come down to the wire and these games are really meaning something. These games are super important games, with both teams jockeying for it and both teams trying to win.

"It just makes things fun, and it makes things interesting."

Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch wasn't quite as enthusiastic about NYCFC's win on Friday, but he acknowledged that the success of their rival has provided some added motivation.

"When I watched last night's game, I see a New York team that's very good and very committed and organized, and I like that," Marsch said. "Obviously, we're all rooting for Houston to get points so that we can set ourselves up, but I think that team is doing well has driven us. It has driven us in so many different ways. The bad start, the giving up leads. The being tested by other teams doing well, it has made us hungry, and it has made us drive to do better, to get better, to be the best."

On Saturday, it was the Union providing the test and they took it to the Red Bulls from the start, which is rare for visitors to Red Bull Arena. Rookie Fabian Herbers' 15th-minute goal put the pressure on the home side, but as the first half went on the Red Bulls eventually took control and grabbed an equalizer just before halftime. Bradley Wright-Phillips needed little more than a minute into the second half to give the Red Bulls the lead, and even after Chris Pontius' equalizer made it 2-2, the Red Bulls kept the pressure on and broke through when McCarty headed home the eventual winning goal.

The victory not only helped the Red Bulls regain first place in the East, it also puts their fate in their hands. Two wins in their final two matches will automatically ensure first place and the No. 1 seed in the East playoffs. It's a position few could have imagined for the Red Bulls when they began the season 1-6, but a 14-match unbeaten streak in league play has the Red Bulls looking as tough as any team in the league, and Saturday' victory provided another reminder that they have no problem thriving in the face of adversity.

"I told them after the game that for two years we've talked so much about getting better when things got tougher, and I think watching that tonight, I was really impressed with our group," Marsch said. "I was really impressed with their commitment, with their sharpness, with their competitive will, with their heart and character, so much in there that we've been trying to be about for two years. So I think this group's coming together in a good way."