The competition between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC runs deeper than the fight for the No. 1 playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Bradley Wright-Phillips and David Villa are in a fierce individual battle for the top spot in the Golden Boot race and the Bleacher Report MLS Player Rankings.
Each striker enters the final two matches of the season with 21 goals and the potential to score more in the tussle for home-field advantage in the East.
Beneath the two top scorers on the list of the league's best in-form players are a defensive-minded player on a hot streak in front of net, a red-hot super sub turned starter and a pair of impressive netminders who enter at the bottom of the list.