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Red Bulls edge out FC New York to advance in U.S. Open Cup

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Photo Courtesy of ISI Photos

By MIKE NASTRI

FC New York gave the New York Red Bulls a scare, going up 1-0 in the second half, but the Red Bulls were up to task scoring two quick goals to advance in the U.S. Open Cup.

After being largely invisble in the first half, Corey Hertzog and John Rooney both responded with second half goals to secure a spot in the quarterfinals against the Chicago Fire.

Hertzog equalized in the 59th minute and Rooney followed with the game winner just seven minutes later. Tim Ream played a long ball on the ground to Rooney. The younger Rooney brother juked an FC New York defender and ripped a low laser beating an outstretched Steve Diaz.

"Tim played me the ball and there was no one behind me," said Rooney. "I turned and I was on the edge of the box. I just tried to get my shot off and lucky for me it went into the bottom corner."

Rooney added: "The main thing was obviously to get the win. To get on the score sheet is just an added bonus and to score the winning goal makes it that much better."

  Hertzog equalized just three minutes after FC New York took the first lead of the match. Juan Agudelo, fresh off his Gold Cup campaign, headed down a failed clearance by the USL Pro expansion team to Hertzog. Hertzog took a couple of touches on the right side of the box and ripped the game tying goal past Diaz.

"Corey had a great finish," said Austin Da Luz. "It was kind of a half chance, but he's a good goal scorer and those are the types of goals that he scores."

"It's disappointing because we kind of give up goals after every time we score," added former Red Bulls Academy product and FC New York midfielder Qwame Holder. "We give up easy goals when we have a chance to hold the lead."

FC New York opened the scoring in the 56th minute with a long range blast from second half sub Owen Morrison that beat Red Bull keeper Greg Sutton. It was the first shot on goal in the match for FC New York and Morrison made the most of it.

"He [Morrison] came in and did well for them," said Ream. "He took a touch and lined one up. Sometimes you can't do anything about that."

Ream added: "I was expecting a shot, but I wasn't expecting the shot to be as well taken as it was.

The first half was dominated by Austin Da Luz and the rest of the Red Bull midfield, but the team lacked the killer ball to create a real quality scoring chance. The second half was a different story as the Red Bulls played the ball with more authority and took advantage of any open space.

"We had a few chances in the first half, some good possesion," said midfielder Austin Da Luz. "We didn't get those clear cut chances in the first half and in the second half we did good job of taking those when they came."

The win advances the Red Bulls into the quarters of the U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2006. They'll face off against the Fire in Chicago on July 12th. The Fire beat the 1999 U.S. Open Cup Champion Rochester Rhinos 1-0 in their round of 16 match.

"It's going to be a tough game," said Da Luz. "I've spoken to a couple of guys on their team [Chicago Fire] and I know they're taking the U.S. Open Cup very seriously. They're probably going to use quite a few first team guys. So, it will be a great challenge for us to test ourselves against some of the better players in the league."

The Red Bulls, on the other hand, will most likely stick with a reserve squad as July is busy month for New York. They play nine games in the month, including back-to-back matches in London for the Emirates Cup.

"It will be the same team," said head coach Hans Backe. "I just hope that we have 11 starters on July 12th, because July is a killer for us."

Backe added: "If we hadn't had this schedule, then definitely I think we could have a priority to win the Cup. But with the schedule as it is now, we can't do it."

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What did you think of the young Red Bulls? Impressed by Rooney, Da Luz or Hertzog? Do you think the Red Bull reserves can beat a Chicago first team?

 

Comments

  1. i hope you’re exaggerating… yes, his accent is thick… but if you cannot understand the english language at least a little bit, you seriously were deprived of very remedial education

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  2. Nah. Da Luz controlled long stretches of that game. And as for Paullo and Agudelo, I think you’re focusing too much on that one play in the second half where Juan made a big display of being upset at not getting the ball, but he was already offside when he was calling for it, so that’s really on him. Paullo was creating a lot of opportunities out of the midfield. And Agudelo definitely got his touches. He just couldn’t make anything happen.

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  3. Agreed! The reserves can win rather than tie! IMO the game was pretty boring though. I was not impressed with the midfield, I thought the first team starters, DaLuz, Ream and Agueldelo were average at best. I thought Jones fell down too much for such a big guy and Paullo was a ball hog who could have easily passed to a waiting Agueldelo. I was also disappointed that they continue to play Kassel at RB because he would be more effective in distributing the ball to the forwards. Agueldelo looked frustrated at times for the lack of opportunities. All in all, it was a win and that is all that matters.

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  4. F. FC, won’t say NY, never. What’s their attendence avg. like 400? Borough Boys forever. You don’t want none of this Borough Boy, BK to the fullest. Do or die Bed- Stuy. I drink redbull with vodka, then piss.

    Boo!

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  5. You know who should have scored 2? Agudelo. There was one of them that even I would have buried! Maybe he’s tired after the Gold Cup but com’ on! you’re a young dude…

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  6. I was really impressed with the reserves. The team was very composed and looked every bit the better team, even with only one starter in the lineup. That one starter, Ream, wore the captain’s armband well. Da Luz owned the midfield and Marcus Paullo was really dangerous throughout. Da Luz is going to be a really useful bench player and occasional starter going forward, and I’m intrigued by Paullo. He looked like he could be a big time player in MLS. On the other side, Mike Jones looks like just mediocre RB cover, and I was really unimpressed by Hertzog, despite the goal (which really should have been saved – at that impossible angle, the keeper has to have the near post totally covered). Kassel also didn’t step up as much as I’d hoped for. But overall, definitely an impressive performance.

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  7. Ohhh we want the cup, gotta have that cup.
    All the NY players were fantastic, throwing shirts into the South Ward, climbing over the barricade, going around the stadium high fiving people.
    Put out a good team on July 12th Hans. And bid more to get a home game next time too RB.

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  8. I wonder how the person doing the interview was able to transcribe what Rooney said. I can’t understand a thing he says.

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  9. I’d call Rooney’s shot a squibber, not a laser. But I’m glad it went in.
    If this same team plays against Chicago regulars, we are doomed.

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  10. C’mon RBNY take this open Cup.,same as Seatle does.,bring out the big guns against Chicago…lets win some hardware already!!!

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  11. Laser is the correct spelling; it’s an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

    Ha owned!

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  12. I liked Ream, Paullo and Jones tonight. Jones was conservative, did not do much, be he played smart. Hertzog provided a quick, response equalizer but I felt he could have had even more of an impact on the game.

    For the Open Cup game against the Chicago Fire on July 12th, I hope the Red Bulls play more regular starters in that match. If so, they will have a chance against the Fire. I want the Red Bulls to win the US Open Cup.

    Reply

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