New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC — Sunday, Aug. 9 — 7pm ET — FOX Sports 1

Here we go again. Just over a month after the Red Bulls stunned NYCFC for a 3-1 win at Yankee Stadium, the metropolitan rivals meet for the third time this season at Red Bull Arena. It’s the rivals’ final regular-season meeting of 2015, and Red Bulls supporters will be eyeing a clean sweep of the expansion side. Things look a bit different this time around, however, with Designated Players like NYCFC’s Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard as well as recent Red Bulls acquisitions Sean Wright-Phillips and Gonzalo Veron in the mix.

With Jesse Marsch’s second-placed side on a roll of late—winning four of its last six matches in league play—the biggest question entering the match may focus on NYCFC’s leaky defense. New reinforcements like Angelino, Andoni Iraola, and Jefferson Mena haven’t been able to stem the flow of opposing goals, and the Red Bulls’ attack could have a field day with its pacy wingers. Lloyd Sam, in particular, has been on a tear after returning from injury, and the combination play of the brothers Wright-Phillips makes the Red Bulls a tough team to defend.

Still, the ten-man Montreal Impact proved it can be done—just barely—by hanging on for a 1-1 draw in midweek. Eighth-placed NYCFC, meanwhile, enter the match after last weekend’s defeat to the Impact with David Villa in excellent form and Kwadwo Poku grabbing headlines as a starter, not a super-sub. All the midfield pieces will need to come together for the boys in blue to earn a result on the road, but, at the very least, Sunday’s marquee match will feature plenty of star power.

New York Cosmos vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers — Saturday, Aug. 8 — 7:30pm ET — ESPN3

After starting the Fall campaign with a loss and two draws, the Cosmos couldn’t have responded any better in recent days. Last weekend’s victory over Fort Lauderdale and an impressive comeback against Minnesota United in midweek have New York back in the middle of the table and looking to climb even higher. Giovanni Savarese’s side will square off against the Strikers once more on Saturday night—last time out, Hunter Freeman and Leo Fernandes struck to carry the Cosmos over the Florida side 2-0.

The momentum gained by Wednesday’s win surely won’t hurt, either. Freeman played the hero once again, scoring a sensational, late game-winner after Walter Restrepo leveled the proceedings early on. While the offensive production from the back line may come as a bonus, the Cosmos’ attack has proved to be one of the NASL’s best with the combination of Restrepo, Fernandes, and front man Raul giving defenses fits. Savarese will hope his attacking corps continue to produce against Fort Lauderdale.

Feature photo credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports