Red Bulls' Open Cup dates announced

U.S. Soccer announced the fixture dates for the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The knockout tournament begins April 22-26. The final will take place September 29-30. The cup winner is awarded $250,000 and the runner-up takes home $60,000. The team that advances the furthest from each lower division wins $15,000.

The New York Red Bulls begins the cup in the fourth round, which will be played June 16-17. They will be paired geographically with two teams in a third round matchup and (obviously) play the winner.

RBNY II (playing in USL Pro) enters the tournament in the second round. The second round games are on May 20th, and RBNY II will play against an amateur squad from US Club Soccer, USSSA, USASA, PDL, or NPSL. The reserve team and the senior team will be on opposite sides of the bracket.

It is unknown if the New York Red Bulls U-23 will be included in the tournament despite winning the NPSL in 2014, due to their uncertain status in 2015 and because the team is changing leagues (to the PDL).

Last year, the Red Bulls fell to the Cosmos, 3-0, in the fourth round of the tournament. The U-23s lost to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro), 3-1, in the second round.

Are you excited for the Open Cup?