US Open Cup 2017, Round 3: The New York Red Bulls Connection

The New York Red Bulls don’t really have an interest in the third round of the 2017 US Open Cup. The team will play New York City FC in the fourth round on June 14 - a match that is not affected by results in the preceding round of games. But the third round of USOC 2017 will see a lot of RBNY-connected players in action, so if you’re looking for teams to root for in the latest Open Cup action: take your pick.

Tonight (May 30), at 8 PM, Saint Louis FC will face off against the PDL winners Michigan Bucks. The Bucks qualified for the tournament after winning the USL PDL last summer, with the help of New York academy grad Adam Najem, then in college at Akron. Najem led the team with nine assists (and a goal) in 11 regular season games. He also added a goal and an assist in the team’s playoff race to the championship.

This year Najem is gone, now playing professionally with the Philadelphia Union after New York traded his rights for Philadelphia’s second round pick in the 2018 SuperDraft. Yet, New York maintains a presence on the team. This year, Michigan center-back and RBNY Academy graduate Billy Stevens carries on Najem’s legacy.

On the other side of the field will be another former Red Bulls Academy defender. Konrad Plewa joined Saint Louis FC after his release from New York Red Bulls II this winter. Since joining, Plewa has played four of the team’s nine games, earning one USL Team of the Week nomination. One time Red Bulls forward, Jose Angulo, also lines up for Saint Louis.

Additionally:

Former New York Red Bulls U23 defender Joe Farrell and the Rochester Rhinos will take on GPS Omens on May 31, at 7 PM.

One time Red Bulls midfielders will meet as Louisville City FC and midfielder ‘Speedy’ Williams will face Cincinnati FC and Eric Stevenson - May 31, 7 PM.

Academy grad and NYRB II original Bolu Akinyode and North Carolina FC will play the Charlotte Independence - May 31, 7:30 PM.

A trio of former Red Bulls will lead Harrisburg City Islanders against Reading United. Jamie Thomas, Shawn McLaws, and Manolo Sanchez will kick off in Pennsylvania at 7:30 PM, May 31.

Kosuke Kimura now of the Tulsa Roughnecks will play one time Red Bulls trialist Sebastian Ibeagha and San Antonio FC - May 31, 8 PM.

Anthony Wallace and the OKC Energy take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks - 8 PM, May 31.

Shaun Wright-Phillips will lead Phoenix Rising FC vs. the San Francisco Deltas - 9:30 PM, May 31.

One-time RBNY utility man Jeremy Hall and the Sacramento Republic will face off against Reno 1868 - 10:30 PM, May 31.

Happy soccer watching, Red Bulls fans!