A stretch of play with massive Major League Soccer playoff implications kicks off Sunday for both the Red Bulls and New York City FC.
For the Red Bulls, who have established themselves as a perennial power in the Eastern Conference, this is familiar territory — considering they are the defending Supporters’ Shield winners and have made the playoffs the past seven seasons.
For NYCFC, in just its second year of existence in the league, this is unchartered territory — considering it missed the playoffs in its inaugural season.
Both teams already have clinched playoff berths, but each are striving for more: first place in the Eastern Conference, which would earn home-field advantage in the postseason.