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This was the match that the Red Bulls needed to know where to travel to face their next opponents in the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as they will head over to the Queen City as they face the USL’s FC Cincinnati in the Semi-Finals.
Once again it was a Djiby Fall game winning goal and another fantastic performance from goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt along with a staunch defensive game plan by Alan Koch that gave FC Cincinnati the victory and moving into their first US Open Cup Semi-Finals.
The lone goal of the match was scored in the 68th minute as Justin Hoyte who was attacking the left side of the field, beats Hunter Freeman and dribbles towards the net. Then a quick cross to Djiby Fall who somehow found a way to toe poke the ball thru the legs of Daniel Vega and that tally was the goal that sends FC Cincinnati to the Semi-Finals.
While this match began with Miami FC on the front foot, FC Cincinnati found a way to turn the tables and played a better game towards the end of the first half. While it was an exchanging of chances from both sides, Cincinnati found a way to get the goal to push them to the Semi-Finals.
While the Red Bulls are thankful that they are playing an opponent in the Semi-Finals, this victory means two things. First they won’t play this match on Wednesday, August 9th as that would’ve been a major fixture congestion after playing NYCFC this coming Sunday at Yankee Stadium and then a home match on Saturday, August 12th against Orlando City.
This will also mean that a certain player from FC Cincinnati might be suspended for the Semi-Finals as Cincinnati Soccer Talk has informed their audience as well as myself as I called into their post game show, Djiby Fall will be suspended on yellow card accumulation.
ALERT: @baye_djiby (Djiby Fall) will miss @fccincinnati's #USOC2017 Semifinal against @NewYorkRedBulls for accumulation of yellow cards (3).
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 3, 2017
Djiby Fall earned a booking in round two at home against AFC Cleveland of the NPSL, a yellow card in round 3 against local rivals Louisville City and he just earned a yellow card in the 90th minute of this make up quarterfinal match up against Miami FC.
In section 305.B.2 it states that “each multiple of 3 yellow cards in Open Cup competition in one year (excluding 2 yellow cards received in the same match resulting in a red card), the individual shall be suspended for at least one Open Cup match.”
Which means there will be no wiping out the last two yellows because you’re side reached the Semi-Finals. That also means if either Aaron Long or Felipe earns a yellow card in the Semis and the Red Bulls do reach the final, they will be suspended for the final.
But right now this is a big moment for the Red Bulls that they will be spared a horrendous week of fixture congestion as they will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio for the Semi-Finals on Tuesday, August 15th at 8PM EDT time.
Time to get some travel information to Cincinnati, Ohio and head on over for this huge Semi-Final match up as the Red Bulls now know who their opponents will be and we all know Jesse Marsch and his side will take this challenge very seriously.