When Frank Lampard, the decorated English star, jogged onto the field at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon, he found himself in unexpectedly antagonistic territory. After being sidelined for more than two months at the beginning of the season, he was finally making his debut for New York City F.C. in the 75th minute of their 13th game. His reception was unwelcoming: a chorus of boos from the crowd. It was hardly the worst indignity of the day for the home team.

Lampard’s return came in the Red Bulls’ 7-0 rout of New York City. As the local matchup tries to gain footing and luster — headlining Major League Soccer’s rivalry week — it has barely been much of a rivalry at all. The Red Bulls have won all four games between the teams and have outscored N.Y.C.F.C. by 12 goals.

Saturday’s victory was embarrassingly easy. The Red Bulls took the lead in the third minute, led by 3-0 at halftime and kept scoring even as they cycled in their reserves. Four goals came on set pieces — another humiliation for New York City.

“It was a disaster for us,” David Villa, New York City’s captain, said.

The victory held up a mirror to the divergence in team-building between the clubs. The Red Bulls’ roster is composed mostly of players who have spent considerable time in the M.L.S. and includes a significant element of homegrown talent that matriculated through the team’s development academy. Last year, the team posted the best record in the Eastern Conference, and it has moved into the top half of the standings after a slow start to the season.