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Red Bulls seeking Open Cup revenge vs. Cosmos

photo by Andy Marlin/USA Today Sports

By FRANCO PANIZO

HANOVER, N.J. — The New York Red Bulls are making no secret about it: They want to exact revenge on the New York Cosmos.

A year removed from an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to the Cosmos in U.S. Open Cup play, the Red Bulls are set for a rematch with the NASL club in the fifth round of the tournament on Wednesday. The Red Bulls will have the homefield advantage this time and are expected to field a lineup that more closely resembles their starting group.

Last year, then-head coach Mike Petke went with a reserve-filled unit against the Cosmos due to a combination of international absences, injuries and preferred approach. The result was an apathetic and humiliating loss at Shuart Stadium that infuriated the Red Bulls’ fan base and left the players with pain and a sour taste in their mouths.

“There’s a sense of revenge, that we need to win this game,” said centerback Matt Miazga, who started in last year’s fourth round match. “Obviously, at the start of the season (head coach Jesse Marsch) really made it a commitment to win this Open Cup, and that’s one of our goals. Now, the Cosmos are in our way, and we’re going to give it our all.

“I played in that game last year, and it did suck losing, 3-0, away at their place. Now, we’re back at home, and we’re going to look to win at home.”

A major challenge for the Red Bulls is that they will be playing on short rest while the Cosmos, who are out of season, are coming into Red Bull Arena fresh. The Red Bulls were involved in MLS action on Sunday – defeating the other marquee Big Apple club in New York City FC, 3-1 – and will be playing their fourth game in 12 days.

The Cosmos, meanwhile, have not played since beating NYCFC on penalty kicks in a thrilling fourth round U.S. Open Cup game at Shuart Stadium on June 17. They also enter the match with plenty of confidence after going undefeated in the NASL’s Spring Season with a 5-0-5 record.

“Because it’s the Cosmos and because it’s a huge game for our fans and for our team, it’s easy to get up for the game,” said Red Bulls captain Dax McCarty, who is eager to play the second-division side after missing the 2014 affair due to a knee injury. “Quick turnaround, we have some heavy legs, but I think these are the games you want to play in, especially after last year what happened.  I wasn’t a part of it, but I was in the stands, and it was embarrassing.

“The Cosmos are a good team, and they proved it that day. We know we’re in for a big challenge, we know it’s a big test for us. They’re going to be confident, they’ve had a couple weeks of rest, so it’s going to be a very, very tough game and one that I know we’re looking forward to.”

While the Red Bulls will field a strong lineup that includes the returning Lloyd Sam, it sounds as if they will still be without one regular starter. Young left back Kemar Lawrence appears likely to sit this game out due to the number of matches he has already played in and is expected to continue to take part in this summer for both the Red Bulls and Jamaica.

Connor Lade seems the most likely replacement for Lawrence, but no matter who starts across the back line, a key will be limiting the impacts that former Spanish national team players Raul and Marcos Senna have in the game.

The veteran duo will lead the Cosmos on Wednesday, but the club has other players capable of making a difference. Forward Lucky Mkosana has the strength, speed and skill to wreak havoc on defenses – as he demonstrated at times vs. NYCFC a week-and-a-half ago – and New Jersey-born midfielder Danny Szetela is also able to pop in and contribute.

Not that any of that is lost on the Red Bulls. Regardless of how little time they have had to prepare.

“Watching video, I was impressed with some of the guys in the team outside of Raul and Marcos Senna,” said Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles. “Of course, their resumes speak for themselves, but they’ve got quality there, and they have a lot to prove as well. Sure, they beat us last year, and they beat New York City not too long ago, but they’re also going to want to continue that run.

“We’re well aware who their playmakers are, but we also have an understanding of who their players on the periphery are as well and that they can hurt us. They do want to play the beautiful game, and they do want to slow the game down, and that’s obviously a little bit different from the way we play as far as high tempo goes.”

For the Red Bulls, there is so much on the line against the Cosmos. New York bragging rights are up for grabs for the second time in four days, and there is an opportunity to move one step closer to winning a tournament that Marsch and other Red Bulls staff have publicly labeled a priority this year.

There’s also that little thing about making amends, to themselves and their unsatisfied supporters, for that shameful defeat from 2014.

“We’ve had a pretty good week now,” said McCarty. “We’re going to try and piggyback off the confidence from the NYCFC game and come out and take it to (the Cosmos), because they kicked our ass last time.”

Added Robles: “I think we’re going in with the sort of mentality that we’re going to treat it as if it’s a league game because we want to be on the right end of this rivalry. We want to rectify some of our wrongs from last year.”

Comments

  1. Well, that should shut the Cosmos fans up for 10 minutes. The worst team in MLS history, a joke of a club, just took the best 3rd division side money could buy out behind the woodshed for a total whomping. I guess Carcinogen FC are the kings of New York, which is like being the biggest fly in a dungheap.

    I love pre 4th drinking!

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  2. I wonder if Cosmos fan really think they have a chance against Red Bulls 1st team… And if they do, I wonder if they can share whatever drugs they are on with me.

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  3. But that is the point on the cosmos and nasl, it does not matter how they do in 1 game or another – they were 0-7 vs USL competition, and they will be out of business soon. All good players are going to MLS, especially as it grows and salary grows more, so nasl will be a non entity soon when the criminal traffic dollars slow down… You can have your 4k long island fans in the lax Hofstra field, even if you win – in the long run there is only 1 outcome…

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  4. My greatest concern is that Marsch will put out a soft lineup. It would be so great to see these teams really go at it.

    Don’t ruin my evening, Jesse

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  5. All that talk from the Redbulls fas, I hope they don’t start making excuses if they lose! The only true winnern is soccer and soccer fans!!! May the best team win!!!

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  6. When I stepped down from the Red Bulls (fired), little did I know that I would be sitting in a huge office (little darkened room) here in the big apple (Hempstead)! Now I am the big-wig COO (janitor) for the NY Cosmos. Some of my daily duties include spearheading marketing and communication (trolling message boards like SBI) and getting the brand’s message out worldwide (Long Island mostly). Thanks to everyone for their support (about 5,000 total)!

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  7. So if Cosmos win, and there are more Cosmos fans than RB fans, does that mean Red Bull Arena could host the next round between Cosmos and Union?

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    • If there were more Cosmos fans than RB fans they’d draw more than 4k a game to the lacrosse stadium in Hempstead.

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  8. greentideworldwide?
    are you talking about 1975? Pele retired long ago, its long been over.
    they are a 2nd/3rd rate team now playing at Hofstra lacrosse turf field in long island, they won’t be getting any good players with MLS growing so much each year, the NASl will probably fold around them and go to USL soon…
    MLS teams basically win every USOC anyway

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    • #lprevolution
      Watching MLS, NASL, and USL grow has been like watching a child grow up that is maturing in a fantastic wa — against the odds and getting called “pussy” “field fairy” and worse derogatory names. Rivalry is good, and it grows the game. Personally, I support everything that Cosmos is doing. Good for them. If they upset NYRB tonight, I’ll be pretty upset with out guys. But, good for the Cosmos! Seriously, every great kid needs sand in his shoes to grow up and be his best.

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    • I thought the Cosmos had no fans?
      The Cosmos had better players 40 years ago on their one team than mls has had in their whole crap league in the last 20 years.
      Hofstra is 2-0 versus mls crap franchises in 2 years. Don’t worry, I don’t expect a response on this one.
      There’s good players in mls? How can you tell?
      NASL hasn’t folded yet? Haven’t you clowns been saying that for the last five years? USL teams will join NASL in about a week to ten days.
      Quick question mls crap fan – why is your league robbing fees from small clubs?
      – in conclusion, don’t be upset with the Cosmos because they are an independent club that actually goes out and tries to win games. Franchise fans in mediocre leagues find this confusing, don’t freak out, there are support groups you can find at mls’ website where losing is embraced.
      Oh, by the way, you know the Cosmos prize money from their win in Hong Kong is more than the prize money earned for winning the mls cup? How is that decided again? Least biggest loser gets mls cup?

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      • So some other team named “Cosmos” had some good players at the end of their careers 40 years ago? And that has what exactly to do with the minor league clown club that currently plays in Hempstead? Also you seem to forget losing to an MLS team last year (Philly) and the NYCFC was a draw, not a win.

      • USL to NASL in a week? What are you talking about. USL has an agreement to get stadiums built for every team right now.

      • This whole nonsense about we made more prize money in insert random foreign country here is silly. If you want to compare teams on a revenue basis you need to compare all revenue streams including, friendlies, league/playoff bonuses, tv revenue, ticket sales, merchandise sales, player sales and sponsorship. Otherwise its meaningless.

  9. Come on you soda pop frat girl mixed drinks representing New Jersey stadium building in a contaminated area alternative sport sponsoring including surfers, kayackers, skiers, climbers, cyclists “plastic” team. Do what you’re suppose to do, and win the US Open Cup for our second trophy!

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