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Matt Reed

Soccer reporter and New Jersey native that currently contributes to NBC Sports Pro Soccer Talk, as well as Calciomercato and TheCup.us. Former founder of MetroSoccerNation.com.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: NY Red Bulls keep NYCFC winless in tournament with dominate win

June 7, 2018 by Matt Reed

The New York Red Bulls celebrate one of their four goals in a 4-0 win over New York City FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us
Vincent Bezecourt of the New York Red Bulls celebrates a goal scored against New York City FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us
Vincent Bezecourt of the New York Red Bulls celebrates a goal scored against New York City FC in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us

The New York Red Bulls didn’t have superstar attackers Bradley Wright-Phillips or Kaku, but the Major League Soccer power cruised to a 4-0 win over rivals New York City FC in the Fourth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

NYCFC has yet to win a match in its four seasons involved in the competition, and fell at Red Bull Arena for the second year in a row without scoring a goal after manager Patrick Vieira made nine changes to the team’s starting XI.

The Red Bulls, who finished as the runner-up in last year’s tournament, were forced to tinker with their lineup as well because of a tight MLS schedule and various players away on international duty.

With Wright-Phillips on the bench to start for the Red Bulls, Vincent Bezecourt wasted no time providing the team with an attacking spark, and broke the deadlock in the third minute with a powerful strike to the bottom right corner.

NYCFC was tested again when Patrick Vieira turned to Sebastien Ibeagha in the sixth minute to replace defender Cedric Hountondji, who was forced out of the match with a leg injury.

NYCFC managed to get more involved in the flow of play as the first half progressed, and nearly found an equalizer in the 37th minute when David Villa’s shot at the near post trickled under goalkeeper Ryan Meara. However, center back Hassan Ndam was in the proper position to clear the ball off the line.

Red Bulls continued to push in the second stanza, and quickly found themselves with a second goal in the 52nd minute after Aaron Long headed home a corner kick.

The celebration is #RBNYvNYC | #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/RdphZwwNTS

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 7, 2018

“First, really good performance from Aaron ,” said manager Jesse Marsch. “Nights like this when it’s the full team isn’t here gives these young guys a chance to develop further. Aaron has become a leader, but it’s important to use these moments to help these guys build and challenge the players to get better and grow.

“When Aaron first came here we knew he was talented and gifted. But if we find talented guys with the right mentality then we feel they can become true Red Bull players.”

In the dying moments, Daniel Royer stamped his way onto the score sheet twice in a span of two minutes, giving Red Bulls their second 4-0 win over their cross-river rivals of this season.

“It’s one of the big positives on the night,” Marsch said. “Danny played a huge role for us tonight. From a confidence standpoint it was really good to see him get back on the scoresheet tonight.”

Filed Under: 2018 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2018 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls, NYCFC

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: Penn FC explodes with three late goals to oust FC Motown

May 20, 2018 by Matt Reed

USOC PFC-FCM FINALPenn FC used a late flurry of brilliance on the road to top FC Motown, 3-1, and reach the Third Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday night at Ranger Stadium in Madison, New Jersey.

The visitors managed to break down Motown on three occasions in the final 12 minutes to move into the next round of the US Open Cup, with Miguel Jaime, Prince Baffoe and Pedro Galvao all finding their way onto the scoresheet.

Jaime leveled the match at 1-1 in the 78th minute with a brilliant strike from distance after Penn created a turnover deep in the Motown half of the field. Meanwhile, Baffoe notched the game-winner two minutes later when he scored an equally-brilliant finish from outside the box.

Penn wasn’t done though, as Galvao scored the side’s third goal in the 90th minute to put the game out of reach for Motown with a tremendous individual run and finish.

Another one!@PennFCOfficial takes down @fc_motown 3-1 and is heading to the 3️⃣rd Round of the #USOC2018. @pedrofgalvao with the insurance goal in the 90th minute. pic.twitter.com/MnaFhIZjFn

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 17, 2018

Motown, based in Morristown, New Jersey (not Detroit), went ahead 1-0 in the 53rd minute after creating a quality chance off of a turnover. Dilly Duka’s left foot gave Motown the advantage early in the second half, with the former MLS attacker scoring his third goal in two Open Cup matches.

The poor conditions on the night forced both sides to adapt their playing styles, with the first half, in particular, presenting very few chances for either club.

Max Garcia’s long-range shot in the 28th minute afforded Penn goalkeeper Sean Lewis with his biggest challenge of the opening stanza, but the shot-stopper managed to make an impressive diving save to his left to keep the match scoreless.

Penn FC, the club formerly known as the Harrisburg City Islanders, will move on to the Third Round for the fifth year in a row. They are one of the top giant killers in the country, having upset five Major League Soccer teams in club history. In Round 3, they will move on to face another USL team, the Richmond Kickers, on the road on May 23.

Filed Under: 2018 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2018 US Open Cup, FC Motown/Clarkstown Eagles, Penn FC/Harrisburg City Islanders

Why Sporting Kansas City, New York Red Bulls will win 2017 US Open Cup Final

September 20, 2017 by Matt Reed

Sporting Kansas City celebrates the club's third US Open Cup title. Photo: Bob Larson
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

The 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final features two Major League Soccer originals, and despite the two club’s expansive histories, one of them is seeking its first major title in over 20 years of cup competitions.

Sporting Kansas City will host the New York Red Bulls tonight in front of a likely sold-out crowd at Children’s Mercy Park to decide this year’s Open Cup winner, as the latter looks to capture its first major tournament trophy in the competition’s 104th edition. Meanwhile, Peter Vermes’ Sporting KC will be attempting to become just the eighth team in history to win four Open Cup titles.

The two MLS sides have had similar paths to the final, each facing extra time on two occasions and penalty kicks once.

Below, we make the case for both teams coming out victorious as they prepare to square off in nationally-televised game (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes) championship game.

Why Sporting Kansas City will win

Let us start off with the obvious. Head coach Peter Vermes and his side have been here before. The former Sporting Kansas City (Kansas City Wizards) player may not have won an Open Cup title during his playing career, however, he’s been victorious on three separate occasions in this competition, in addition to winning an MLS Cup back in 2013.

Gerso Fernandes of Sporting KC put the game away with a goal in second half stoppage time in a 2-0 Round of 16 win over Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC
Gerso Fernandes of Sporting KC put the game away with a goal in second half stoppage time in a 2-0 Round of 16 win over Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC

Sporting has a solid base of veterans players, such as Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber, all of whom have played key roles for the club in their previous triumphs. Meanwhile, in recent seasons the team has added younger talents like Latif Blessing, Gerso Fernandes and Diego Rubio to help spark the squad’s attack.

While the Red Bulls will be used to playing in front of a hostile environment — particularly when they take on NYCFC in the Bronx — Children’s Mercy Park is among the loudest stadiums in MLS. In fact, WalletHub recently named Kansas City to be the best soccer town in the United States, after compiling a list of nearly 300 cities across the country.

Sporting is just one of two teams in MLS with an unbeaten home record this season (Toronto FC). Vermes’ men are 9-0-5 at CMP, making the Red Bulls’ task all the more difficult.

Additionally, the three-time Open Cup champions have lost just twice in all competitions since May 27, which is one of the most successful unbeaten runs in all of MLS during that span.

With veteran experience, great coaching and stadium full of fans cheering them on, Sporting Kansas City should lift their fourth US Open Cup trophy and the third in the last six years.

Why the Red Bulls will win

It all starts and finishes with Bradley Wright-Phillips, the Red Bulls’ all-time leading goalscorer. The former Manchester City academy player has 94 career goals for the Harrison-based club, including three this season in the Open Cup. While BWP’s track record in big matches hasn’t always been staggering, the 32-year-old is just about the best in the league when it comes to finishing chances in front of net.

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Speaking of the best, head coach Jesse Marsch has accumulated an impressive record in this competition during his playing days. The former MLS player was a four-time winner in the Open Cup with both the Chicago Fire (once) and D.C. United (three times). Although Marsch clearly won’t be playing in the final, his experiences from the past could surely aid his side.

In 2014, the Red Bulls hit a low point when they were embarrassed with a 3-0 loss to the New York Cosmos of the NASL. Prior to 2015, Marsch took over and since then, the team has only lost one Open Cup game (6-1-2, 1-1 PKs), including a 4-1 revenge win over the Cosmos in his first year. It has been, by far, the team’s best run of form in the tournament, signaling to fans that the club is making the Open Cup a priority.

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Red Bulls who currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but one thing this team has proven in the Open Cup is that they are resilient. Despite scoring just five regulation goals in four matches in the 2017 tournament, the two-time MLS Supporters’ Shield winners have played solid defense and have dug deep when the squad needed to most.

The Red Bulls enter Wednesday evening having taken points in nine of their last 11 MLS matches, including four positive results on the road.

Last round, the Red Bulls trailed by two goals heading into the final 15 minutes against USL side FC Cincinnati, but BWP and his teammates pulled off one of the more dramatic comebacks in the competition’s modern history with three late goals (including one in extra time) to put the Red Bulls one step away from winning its first US Open Cup title. If they win, they would be the first New Jersey-based club to lift the trophy since 1972 (Elizabeth SC).

2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final
New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
BROADCAST: ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes / Watch ESPN app
Kickoff: 9 p.m. EST

New York Red Bulls Open Cup records
Overall: 21-17-3 (2-1 PK) | Home: 9-5-2 (1-1 PK) | Away: 11-11-1 (1-0 PK) | vs. MLS: 7-9-3 (2-1 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2003 Runner-up (Lost 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire of MLS)
Leading goalscorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips – 3 goals

How they got here

Round 4: 1-0 home win vs. New York City FC (MLS)
Round 5: 1-1 home draw (5-3 PK win) vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 1-0 road win at New England Revolution (MLS)
Semifinals: 3-2 (AET) road win at FC Cincinnati (USL)


Sporting Kansas City Open Cup records
Overall: 25-13-6 (4-2 PK) | Home: 18-7-2 (2-0 PK) | Away: 7-6-4 (2-2 PK) | vs. MLS: 11-8-3 (3-0 PK)
Last entry: 2016 (Lost 3-1 at Houston Dynamo of MLS in Round of 16)
Best finish: 2004, 2012, 2015 champions
Leading goalscorer: Four players tied with 2 (Blessing, Fernandes, Opara, Salloi)

How they got here
Round 4: 4-0 home win vs. Minnesota United (MLS)
Round 5: 2-0 road win at Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: 3-0 (AET) home win vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Semifinals: 1-1 home draw (5-4 PK win) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)

US Open Cup Final history:

* A list of every US Open Cup Final (1914-present)
* US Open Cup Final All-Time Goalscorers
* 1923 US Open Cup Final: Paterson FC claims New Jersey’s “tainted” first title
* 2004 US Open Cup: How Sporting Kansas City won their first Dewar Cup

#USOC2017 coverage:

* 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 1 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 2 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 3 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round 4 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Round of 16 review
* 2017 US Open Cup Quarterfinal review

* 2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winnners
* 2017 US Open Cup bracket (TheCup.us)
* 2017 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* A map of all 99 entries for the 2017 US Open Cup
* 2017 Meet the Underdogs series
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review: 14 more teams advance as Round 3 moved to next year
* 2017 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1: Scores and recaps from every game

#USOC2018 qualifying coverage

* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying begins this weekend (Sept. 23-24)
* Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2018 US Open Cup?
* Which PDL teams will play in the 2018 US Open Cup? 

MORE:

* Cincinnati’s forgotten US Open Cup history
* 2017 US Open Cup Final will be broadcast live on ESPN networks
* California Clasico isn’t new: North has battled South in US Open Cup since 1950s
* Who is the US Open Cup equivalent to Lincoln City FC and their magical FA Cup run?
* Eric Wynalda hired to lead LA Wolves for 2017 US Open Cup run
* Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win
* Biggest USOC controversies of last 100 years, Part 1: The Soccer War, boycotts, the ultimate sister kiss and more
* Biggest USOC controversies, Part 2: NASL bails, World Cup tickets, buying home field and more

* Support TheCup.us: New Del Rey City jerseys available for purchase
* Appreciate what we do at TheCup.us? Donate here
* TheCup.us is looking for writers/editors, graphics, WordPress gurus & people who can handle digital ad sales (paid position). Email us here

Twitter (#USOC2016) | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Reddit

Filed Under: Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2017 US Open Cup Semifinals: Bradley Wright-Phillips leads Red Bulls to Final, earns TheCup.us Player of the Round

September 6, 2017 by Matt Reed

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two goals, including the game-winner in extra time as the New York Red Bulls rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat FC Cincinnati, 3-2. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Bradley Wright-Phillips has constructed a long list of accolades in his four-plus years with the New York Red Bulls, and the Englishman’s latest achievement has his side on the brink of their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title in franchise history.

The Red Bulls knocked off FC Cincinnati in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Nippert Stadium courtesy of Wright-Phillips’ brace. Both finishes came after the 75th minute off of headers, with the winner occurring in the first half of extra time.

His performance against Cincinnati earned him a unanimous winner of TheCup.us Player of the Round award. Wright-Phillips received every first-place vote after his two-goal performance propelled the Red Bulls into their second-ever Open Cup final — their first since 2003. He beat out Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia for the honor. Melia helped Kansas City reach the championship game for the fourth time after a strong performance, including a 5-4 win in a penalty kick shootout (after a 1-1 draw). The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.

“It’s been a very long time,” said Wright-Phillips, the first Red Bulls player in franchise history to win the award. “I read things all the time that Red Bulls don’t win trophies or even some of the fans were saying we were going to choke when we get to the Semifinals. It’s good to get over this hurdle here and prove to people that we’re learning and we’re getting better.”

The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls have never won a tournament and have a history of underachieving in the Open Cup, aside from their run to the 2003 Final where they lost 1-0 to the Chicago Fire in front of their home fans at Giants Stadium. They have the unfortunate distinction of going nine consecutive tournaments (2004-15) without advancing more than one game (second-longest streak in Modern Era). They have been eliminated by a lower division team eight times, the second-most among all MLS teams (Colorado Rapids – 9).

Wright-Phillips and the Red Bulls have been a perennial MLS playoff team since the striker joined the club in 2013, and prior to that, however, when it has come down to the big moments the Harrison-based club has fallen short. Despite winning the Eastern Conference on four occasions since 2010, the Red Bulls haven’t reached an MLS Cup since two years prior.

“We’re all confident in this team and what we can accomplish,” Wright-Phillips said ahead of the Sept. 20 final. “Most of us have been together for several years now, and we know what we’re capable of. We’re facing a very talented team, but that doesn’t stop our expectations of winning this tournament.”

The 32-year-old has amassed 94 goals in all competitions for the Red Bulls since joining the club, and while he’s had his share of hat tricks, MLS Golden Boot awards and other memorable moments, helping his club reach the tournament finale is among his greatest achievements.

Since head coach Jesse Marsch took over with the Red Bulls, the former MLS player has made it a habit of taking the Open Cup seriously, and Wright-Phillips believes it’s his manager that has really helped him rise to another level.

“I’ve learned to try and take the chances I get. I used to squander a lot,” Wright-Phillips said. “I think I squandered a couple, not easy chances, but I should’ve gotten them on target. Jesse, since he’s been here has challenged me to be the guy that if you get one chance, score it and if you get three chances, score them all. I’m still working on it. It’s a player I’m trying to transform into.”

The Red Bulls will meet three-time Open Cup winners Sporting Kansas City in the 104th US Open Cup championship game on Sept. 20 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. The match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. While Wright-Phillips and Red Bulls will enter the match wearing the underdog label, the striker remains confident in his side’s chances.

2017 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Pete Caringi III (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 2: Phil Saunders (Christos FC, USASA)
Round 3: Fabian Cerda (Tulsa Roughnecks, USL)
Round 4: Stefano Pinho (Miami FC, NASL)
Round 5: Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati, USL)
Quarterfinals: Djiby Fall (FC Cincinnati, USL)
Semifinals: Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls, MLS)

HIGHLIGHTS: New York Red Bulls 3, FC Cincinnati 2 (AET)

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, New York Red Bulls/Metrostars, Player of the Round

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U.S. Open Cup History

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1995 US Open Cup Rewind series: The Modern Era begins

The 30th anniversary of the 1995 Open Cup is upon us this year, and as we did with the inaugural tournament in 1913-1914, we’re going to take you back in time and relive the 1995 US Open Cup in chronological order, as it happened.

  • I-95 Quarterfinals: Best of New York-New Jersey vs. Philadelphia in US Open Cup history
  • 1995 US Open Cup Round 1: Richmond Kickers dominate shorthanded Spartans SC … again
  • 1995 US Open Cup Round 1: USASA orders replay for Richmond Kickers vs. Spartans SC match
  • 1995 US Open Cup Round 1: El Paso Patriots overcome early upset scare, beat 1989 USOC champs
  • 1995 US Open Cup Round 1: Day after a league game, Chico Rooks blank San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles

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