PDL Bulls Ready for 1st Round of the US Open Cup.

We remember the journey the New York Red Bulls took to the US Open Cup final last year with victories over NYCFC, the Philadelphia Union inside penalties, on the road at New England and coming back from a two goal defeict and winning in extra time at Cincinnati, but sadly losing at Sporting Kansas City in the end.

Well we are doing this all over again, but this time there will be two Red Bulls squads to begin in this tournament in two separate rounds. As US Soccer announces the format of the 2018 edition of the US Open Cup, their MLS side will begin in the fourth round, but their U-23 squad that plays in the PDL (Premier Development League) will start at the beginning.

“We are pleased that our PDL team has qualified for the U.S. Open Cup,” Sporting Director Denis Hamlett said. “The USOC provides invaluable experience for our academy & collegiate players against pro sides as they continue their development with us. Our staff will be well-prepared to represent our organization come the First Round in May.”

The Red Bulls PDL squad won the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Division by going on an impressive 12-1-1 for a total of 37 points and a goal difference of 51 scored and 14 allowed. Head Coach Rob Elliott was definitely in dream land during a season like this.

This squad last year had the Red Bulls first pick in the first round of the 2018 MLS Super Draft in Duke University’s Brian White as he was one of the top players on the squad last year with 17 of the 51 goals scored last year and while it looks like he will be on the USL Bulls this season.

The PDL season usually starts before or just after the first round US Open Cup Match and on Wednesday, April 4th we shall see who gets drawn with whom as US Soccer’s Open Cup Committee will announce the draw thru twitter on their site.

But just before the Red Bulls take on Guadalajara in their first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Semi-Finals, I shall be doing a live streaming show to review the draw of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round 1 Proper. So listen in before the match begins.

The MLS Bulls will begin their journey in the fourth round, but the kids will start in the beginning of the tourney in the first round and let’s hope they do well as one of the oldest cup competition in the America’s begins on Wednesday, May 9th.