Skip to main content clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Once A Metro homepage Horizontal - White Once A Metro Once A Metro, for Red Bull New York fans

Follow Once A Metro online:

  • Follow Once A Metro on Twitter
  • Follow Once A Metro on Facebook
Log in or sign up
  • Log In
  • Sign Up

Site search

Once A Metro main menu

  • New York Red Bulls
  • Additional Coverage
  • Staff
  • Podcasts
  • Fanposts
  • Fanshots
  • DraftKings Nation
  • Community Guidelines
  • More
All 300 communities on Horizontal - White
  • New York Red Bulls
    • News
    • Features & Analysis
    • Red Bulls II and Academy
    • History
    • Humor
    • Full Archive
  • Additional Coverage
    • Sky Blue FC
    • Red Bull Global
  • Staff
  • Podcasts
  • Fanposts
  • Fanshots
  • DraftKings Nation
  • Community Guidelines

Filed under:

  • Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Three questions about New York City FC with Hudson River Blue: 2017 US Open Cup edition

HRB's Sam Dunn is answering our questions this week.

By Austin Fido and Sam Dunn Jun 14, 2017, 2:28pm EDT

Share this story

  • Share this on Facebook
  • Share this on Twitter
  • Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Three questions about New York City FC with Hudson River Blue: 2017 US Open Cup edition

  • Reddit
  • Pocket
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
The first US Open Cup match-up between New York Red Bulls and New York City FC also happens to be the first time the teams are meeting in 2017.

Hudson River Blue's Sam Dunn stopped by OaM to fill us in on what to expect from NYCFC in USOC.

Once A Metro: Is NYCFC all in for USOC, or are we going to learn a lot about the depth of Patrick Vieira's squad from this game?

Sam Dunn, Hudson River Blue: The gaffer himself has claimed to be all in. While there's a quick turnaround to Saturday's midday league showdown with Seattle, this game matters more to NYCFC fans-- and not just because it's against the Jerseyites. The odious losses to the Cosmos that marred New York City's first two Open Cup jaunts still fairly stick in the craw. Notably, a designated player has never appeared in USOC play for the Boys in Blue. That changes now.

We see David Villa and Maxi Moralez both getting their shot in this one, what with ten days of rest behind them. And while this is the perfect time for Shannon Gomez to come out of the shadows, and for rotation guys like Ben Sweat, Frederic Brillant, and Mikey Lopez to stand and be counted, the team won't leave much up to chance. They can't afford to.

It's strange to realize that a New York City DP has never appeared in Open Cup play. That ends now.

OAM: If this is a match NYCFC approaches at half-speed, does that mean Pirlo gets a run?

HRB: Pirlo hurts the team when he's on the field. To be clear, that's not his fault-- it's Vieira's, and by design. The manager's style is far more conducive to having the prolific Maxi Moralez pull the midfield strings. Adding in the breakout of teenage star man Yangel Herrera, it looked like the Maestro was suddenly halfway out the door on an instant.

As Hudson River Blue's esteemed founder has said from the beginning, you either build your team around Pirlo's particular talents or you don't bother signing him at all.

Notably, Jason Kreis wanted Xavi instead, and NYC were said to be 90% of the way to inking him.

That would have been nice.

As it stands, the bulk of NYCFC fans don't feel great about the way things appear to stand with Pirlo. Free of any context, a megastar of his like deserves far, far better. But the fact remains that opponents have absolutely feasted on his defensive deficiency. If he plays against the Red Bulls, he'll be absolutely devoured.

Big picture, in a three-man midfield -- and in a league that doesn't permit the spending it takes to protect a guy like Pirlo with a fleet of destroyers -- Vieira has multiple options that offer lesser potential for blowback.

OaM: What sort of tactical approach do you expect from Vieira?

HRB: Vieira is stubborn as hell. He's unflinching with his philosophy, sometimes to a fault. You know that thing in American sports where coaches talk about how they always want to tweak their systems to fit the players they've got? Paddy V isn't having that, which is a sizable reason why there are no Diskeruds, Pokus, or Mullinses around here anymore.

The Blues are going to play compact, and with a high defensive line, perhaps dangerously so. They'll insist on building from the back-- again, that may mean mucho peligro for them. It's unavoidable that the Red Bulls have feasted on NYC when they've done any and all of those things, particularly in the wider confines of RBA. But Vieira isn't changing. He just isn't. That's why we're convinced of a rather strong squad selection. After two years of spectacular USOC failure, the plan can't afford to fail again.

Predicted line-up:

GK Johnson

LB Matarrita CB Callens CB Brillant RB Gomez

CM Lopez CM McNamara CAM Moralez

LW Lewis CF Villa RW Camargo

Predicted score:

Tied 1-1 after 90. McNamara slams home the winner for NYCFC in the 109th minute, maybe. 2-1?

Yeah, 2-1.

Follow Sam Dunn on Twitter and find OaM's thoughts on RBNY over at Hudson River Blue.

In This Stream

Motown and more: US Open Cup 2017

  • Preview: The Red Bulls face off against FC Cincinnati in a tense semi-final matchup
  • 3 questions about NYCFC with Hudson River Blue: USOC edition
  • RBNY predicted XI: vs NYC FC; 2017 US Open Cup
View all 52 stories

More From Once A Metro

  • Red Bulls not surprised as national team calls roll in
  • Red Bulls Paper Revue: January 16, 2023
  • Peter Stroud’s long winding journey brings him back to the Red Bulls
  • Lateral play and Love Island: what to know about Red Bulls target Dante Vanzeir
  • Red Bulls Paper Revue: January 9, 2023
  • New hairstyle, new club? Catching up on the latest John Tolkin news
https://soundcloud.com/red-bull-rant/red-bull-rant-221-hearts-and-cannons
Chorus
  • FanPosts
  • FanShots
  • Masthead
  • Community Guidelines
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Horizontal - White
  • Contact
  • Have a News Tip?
  • Browse Blogs
  • About SBN
  • Company Blog
  • Blog Openings
  • Editorial Ethics and Guidelines
Vox MediaVox Media Vox Media logo.
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Info
  • Licensing FAQ
  • Accessibility
  • Platform Status
  • Advertise with us
  • Jobs @ Vox Media
© 2023 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Gambling Problem? Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY),

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS).

Share this story

  • Twitter
  • Facebook