Cosmos, Red Bulls clash as Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup enters round of 16
New York sides boast a storied history in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Two Brooklyn-based sides competed for the title in the inaugural National Challenge Cup back in 1914. The Cosmopolitan Soccer League produced several regular contenders -- including four-time champions Greek American AA and three-time winners New York Pancyprian-Freedoms -- as legions of ex-pats banded together and formed formidable amateur outfits in the ensuing years.
The two remaining New York sides hope to carry forward that legacy when they meet at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday. The path to a first title for a New York-based side since 1984 brings the New York Cosmos and the New York Red Bulls together again.
It is perhaps the perfect way to wrap a busy month for soccer in the region. Both the Cosmos (on penalties in the Open Cup fourth round meeting at Shuart Stadium) and the Red Bulls (after a second-half comeback in a 3-1 victory at Yankee Stadium on Sunday) dispatched New York City FC at different points this month. This affair in Harrison, N.J. closes the loop for another year and provides a chance for one of the two outfits to claim supremacy in the region.
Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch -- in a rather marked departure from the past -- opted to play many of his starters in the fourth-round victory over Atlanta Silverbacks at Red Bull Arena. His players responded with a comprehensive triumph over the overwhelmed Silverbacks to arrange a chance to atone for the 3-0 defeat at Shuart Stadium in this competition last year.
The reigning NASL spring season champions pose a considerable threat once more. Giovanni Savarese’s side mustered a stirring comeback from two goals down to force extra time against NYCFC. The performance underscored the ability and the character within the ranks as the Cosmos reached the round of 16 for a second consecutive year. Savarese and his players will hope to push forward into the last eight by replicating their heroics against the Red Bulls and taking one more step toward their goal of claiming the title and securing the corresponding berth in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Most of the focus at this stage will fall squarely upon the Cosmos as they attempt to continue to fly the flag for non-MLS sides. There are only two lower-league teams remaining in the draw -- USL side Charlotte Independence visits Chicago Fire on Tuesday -- in a tournament often infused with energy when MLS sides crash out at the early stages. It is down to both the Cosmos and the Independence to shoulder those ambitions and sustain the hopes of a first victory by a non-MLS side since 1997.
Perhaps more importantly to the Cosmos, there is a New York standard to uphold. Another victory over the Red Bulls would offer another fillip in the quest for relevance in New York and push the team one step closer to its ultimate objective of joining those storied predecessors in the history books later this year.
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 Fixtures
Tuesday
Philadelphia Union -- D.C. United, 7:00p.m. ET
Columbus Crew SC -- Orlando City, 7:30p.m. ET
Charlotte Independence (USL) -- Chicago Fire, 8:30p.m. ET
Colorado Rapids -- Houston Dynamo, 8:30p.m. ET
Wednesday
New York Red Bulls -- New York Cosmos (NASL), 7:30p.m. ET
Sporting Kansas City -- FC Dallas, 8:30p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake -- Portland Timbers, 10:00p.m. ET
San Jose Earthquakes -- LA Galaxy, 10:30p.m. ET