By Tyler Strauss (@tyler_strauss_)

The concept of a New York Derby is more popular now than ever before. 

New York City FC's addition to Major League Soccer this season gave the New York metropolitan area another professional club to cheer for alongside the New York Cosmos and New York Red Bulls. In the 2014 U.S. Open Cup, the Cosmos bested the Red Bulls at Shuart Stadium 3-0 in the first contest between two fully professional sides representing New York since 1932.

Two weeks ago the Cosmos triumphed over the newcomers from the Bronx in penalties during the fourth round of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup. And just this past Sunday, the Red Bulls came from behind to defeat NYCFC 3-1 at Yankee Stadium.  

The next iteration of these regional rivalries is Wednesday, July 1, when the Cosmos travel to Red Bull Arena for the fifth round of U.S. Soccer's longest-running competition. The Red Bulls will enter the match having beaten the Atlanta Silverbacks 3-0 in the previous round of the Open Cup, a team that earned a draw against the Cosmos at Atlanta Silverbacks Park during the 2015 NASL Spring Season. RBNY snapped a four-game MLS losing streak with a midweek win over Real Salt Lake last week at home, then followed it up with Sunday's win at Yankee Stadium.

WATCH: Cosmos vs. Red Bulls on MSG+ and at youtube.com/ussoccer

The Cosmos, Spring Season Champions of the NASL, start their Fall Season on Sunday, July 5. They come into this matchup with the Red Bulls having not played since their East River Derby encounter with NYCFC.

Last year the Cosmos won this meeting 3-0, albeit a round earlier in the tournament and at home. Norwegian striker Mads Stokkelien was relentless, netting twice to take the boys in green to the next round of the competition. The Cosmos would fall to the Philadelphia Union, eventual tournament runners-up, at PPL Park in extra time.

This year the Red Bulls have a different look to them. They have a new coach, a different style of play and different players to match. The likes of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill no longer grace the pitch at Red Bull Arena. However, record-holding goal scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips is still there, U.S. international Sacha Kljestan joined up from Anderlecht in the offseason and younger talents like Matt Miazga are flourishing.

TICKETS: Click here to sit in the Cosmos supporters and fans section (220)

This Cosmos coaching staff is unchanged from a season ago, but their roster has seen some shake-up since the last meeting. Most notably there is Spanish goal scoring legend Raúl now patrolling the attacking third. He and goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer each earned NASL Player of the Month honors during the Spring campaign. The Cosmos' commitment to bolstering their attack in the offseason has paid dividends so far - Raúl, Leo Fernandes, Lucky Mkosana and Walter Restrepo have all had a hand in making the Cosmos one of the NASL's highest scoring teams in 2015.

Kickoff between the Cosmos and Red Bulls Wednesday is at 7:30 p.m. ET from Red Bull Arena. The winner will move on to face the Philadelphia Union, who defeated D.C. United 2-1 in the Round of 16, in the Open Cup quarterfinals.

For directions to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey go here.