Red Bulls Ready for the Revs in the US Open Cup

This is the time of year where all MLS Sdies are getting ready for a second season, as they prepare for the one and done tournament, known as the US Open Cup. The Red Bulls will once again begin their account against an MLS opponent in the fourth roound.

This time they will be hosting the New England Revolution and their new head coach as Bruce Arena, returns to the coaching ranks inside MLS. Like the time he took over the Red Bulls after the World Cup in the 2006 season. He started near the US Open Cup with a three goals to one loss at DC United in the Quarterfinals.

“I’m happy to see Bruce back in it. He couldn’t stay away too long, he’s the best. He’s a mentor of mine, he gave me a chance to play with the National Team.” said Chris Armas ” He’s taught me a lot, he showed me the way of management, he’s a champion in so many ways.

“I don’t look at it as I’m playing against Bruce. The Revolution got a real person over there, a real soccer guy who understands our league, understands winning, and how to build a team. I’m just happy for him and it’s going to be fun to compete against him.”

We all know that this is a short turnaround for the Red Bulls, after playing a heartbreaker at the Philadelphia Union in league play falling by a final of three goals to two. Can this team turn the page quickly and get ready for a huge match up in the Open Cup?

“It’s a tough one to look at given the circumstances, but it’s behind us now. We have the Open Cup to look forward to and we want to make a run at it.” said Tim Parker “We are expecting New England to play the same way, as Bruce Arena has only been there for a few games.”

That is true that Bruce Arena has served a short period of time with the Revolution, but one thing is very clear, he is still a head coach who is smart, cunning and will find ways to change tactics on the fly; if he has to.’

The best thing about the Red Bulls is that they take all tournaments seriously. League play, MLS Cup Playoffs, the CONCACAF Champions League, and of course the US Open Cup as members of the coaching staff and Sporting Director Denis Hamlet were apart of those Chicago Fire championships back in their playing days.

“It’s an exciting competition and it’s another trophy to win.” said Alex Muyl “It a cup that our club does take serious. We can take a break from Major League Soccer, we want to stay in this competition and we are very excited about it.”

This will be the fourth time the Red Bulls and the Revolution have faced each other in this competition, with the first meeting being back in the 2003 run for the cup final. Amado Guevara won it in golden goal during the Quarterfinals.

In 2013 the Red Bulls traveled to Harvard University and lost to the Revolution in the fourth round by a final of four goals to two, while back in 2017 in the Quarterfinals, it was Bradley Wright-Phillips lone tally with a Revs side down to ten men that sent them to Cincinnati and a trip to the Semi-Finals.

This will be the first time since Red Bull Arena opened back in 2010, that the Red Bulls will play a US Open Cup home game, in a different venue. Montclair State University’s soccer park is the home for the clubs USL Championship 2 side. So the venue is smaller with a field turf surface.

But once the opening whistle blows, the hammer will come crashing down, as these two sides will try to stamp their ticket to the fifth round draw. This is going to be another exciting chapter for the Red Bulls, in their quest to win a cup and raise a banner inside their home at Red Bull Arena.