The Red Bulls Have Never Won in Charleston

There's hope in Hans Backe's promise the Red Bulls will pull out all the stops for the U.S. Open Cup this year -- you know, unlike last year -- with the whole "starting a respectable XI" thing. But its important to remember that they do, in fact, have a game tomorrow. And no matter how many MLS-tested players take the field tomorrow night they do still have to score more goals than the Charleston Battery tomorrow starting at 7:30 p.m.

It's important to remember this because the team, has never, in its history, gone down to Charleston and won.

The other two times the then-MetroStars traveled south, they suffered a 4-1 browbeating in 2001 and crashed out after losing 1-0 in 2004.

The 2001 demolition saw the Battery beat Tim Howard four times in just over a half hour starting in the 47th minute. The Metro kept from being completely embarrassed by a 90th minute goal by Daniel Hernandez.

As for the 2004 meeting, the Tripod site has a nice run-down:

One of the attractive qualities of cup competitions is that is give clubs struggling in their league play a chance to salvage something in their season. Such is the case of the Charleston Battery. Mired in an uncharacteristically dismal season in the A-League, the Battery have taken advantage of their position in the US Open Cup, pulling off a 1-0 upset victory of the MetroStars from Major League Soccer. Charleston game out aggressive, and both clubs had good chances, but the 1st half ended scoreless. Just after halftime, the Battery found the magical goal. Steve Klein collected a loose ball, and sent it over a sliding Zach Wells for the go ahead goal. The Metros pressed for the tying goal, and thought they found it when Eddie Gaven was brought down in the area and awarded a penalty. Mike Magee stepped up and sent the ball off the crossbar, ending the threat and breathing new life into Charleston's lost season.

So yeah. Something to think about going into tomorrow.