The New York Red Bulls are set to host the New York Cosmos on Wednesday night for a Round of 16 match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kick off at Red Bull Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. This will be the second New York Derby for the Red Bulls in four days after defeating NYC FC in MLS play on Sunday.
The Red Bulls are riding high after winning back-to-back league games – a 1-0 midweek result over Real Salt Lake before the 3-1 derby win on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Mike Grella scored the only goal needed against RSL, a win that snapped four-game losing streak in league play. Bradley Wright-Phillips showed his pure finishing ability on Sunday, while Matt Miazga and Chris Duvall each scored their first career goals to take three points on Sunday.
Wright-Phillips leads New York in both goals, six, and assists, four. Sacha Kljestan is now tied for second on the team in assists after setting up two goals Sunday. Kljestan is level with Lloyd Sam and Felipe with three helpers this season.
New York advanced from the fourth round of the Open Cup with a 3-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks, also of the NASL, on June 16 at Red Bull Arena. Lloyd Sam opened the scoring early, while Ronald Zubar and Sean Davis each scored their first goals for New York.
The Cosmos finished the NASL spring season as champions with a 5-0-5 record. Real Madrid legend Raul led the team with four goals in the campaign. Goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer started all 10 games, finishing with a 0.90 save percentage and six shutouts.
The Cosmos are also going back-to-back with derbies – having not played since eliminating NYC FC 6-5 on penalties after playing to a 2-2 deadlock.
Last season the Cosmos dealt the Red Bulls a 3-0 loss out on Long Island.
