2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinals preview: Semifinals on line for MLS originals Revolution, Red Bulls at Harvard

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Thursday, July 12 – 7:30 p.m. EST
Jordan Field (Harvard Univ.) – Boston, MA

BROADCAST: ONLINE VIDEO (video will be embedded when it becomes available)

Winner will play FC Cincinnati / Miami FC winner (Site / Date TBD)

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 19-7-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 9-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 6-9-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up
Leading goalscorer: Sacha Kljestan & Daniel Royer – 1 goal each

New England Revolution Open Cup records
Overall: 19-12-5 (3-2 PK) | Home: 13-4-3 (2-1 PK) | Away: 5-8-2 (1-1 PK) | vs. MLS: 6-8-1 (1-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 4-2 at FC Dallas of MLS in Final)
Best finish: 2007 US Open Cup champions
Leading goalscorer: Five players tied with 1

Every rivalry match contains an added layer of drama when points are on the line, but when that shared history extends to tournament play, well, there’s usually no shortage of rich subplots.

That sentiment certainly holds true for Thursday’s US Open Cup quarterfinal tie between the New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution, who’ll renew acquaintances at Harvard University only nine days after the former handed the latter a last-gasp home loss.

While some would point to the clash as a classic opportunity for the Revolution to seek revenge against the Red Bulls, the truth is there’s far more at stake when the MLS originals battle for a semifinal spot.

For New England, who punched their ticket to the Quarterfinals after beating D.C. United in the Round of 16, the outcome of Thursday’s match has the potential to carry serious reverberations for the rest of the year.

A loss could signal wholesale changes that could start at the top as coach Jay Heaps, whose club has lost four straight and currently sit in 10th place in league play, has struggled to get the most from his talented group of young players. A win would, at very least, give Heaps and his group a temporary reprieve. The sentiment in New England was that the Revolution’s run to last year’s Open Cup final saved the seventh-year coach from getting sacked.

But a win is far from certain given the state of the roster. The Revolution won’t have Kelyn Rowe or Juan Agudelo at their disposal with both currently a part of the USMNT’s Gold Cup tournament roster. The international tournament has also claimed last year’s Open Cup hero Je-Vaughn Watson, who was called in for Jamaica National Team duty.

On the other end of the pitch, New York, who booked their spot in the quarterfinals after beating Philadelphia on PKs two weeks ago, hasn’t exactly defended its Eastern Conference crown in convincing fashion this season.

Yes, last week’s road win over the Revolution gave it some much-needed confidence going into Open Cup play but the team wouldn’t qualify for the playoffs if the MLS season ended today. A quarterfinal triumph could give the Revs a crucial boost in league play.

Similar to the fortunes of their foes, the Red Bulls are far from assured of a victory on Thursday. Key contributor Kemar Lawrence is in camp with Jamaica while long-term injuries to Mike Grella and Aurelien Collin will prevent them from aiding the Red Bulls come Thursday.

One bright spot for both clubs: whoever comes out on top will face a lower-division side in the semifinal with the winner of Wednesday’s Miami FC-FC Cincinnati tie on tap for the next round.

Two beleaguered teams with one chance to salvage a disappointing league year on the line. You want drama? Thursday’s quarterfinal in the Commonwealth won’t disappoint.

#USOC2017 coverage:

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