The New York Red Bulls take on FC Cincinnati in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals on Tuesday, August 15 at 8 p.m. ET (STREAM: NewYorkRedBulls.com, RADIO:New York Red Bulls Radio on Tunein).
With one of the Red Bulls’ biggest games of the season approaching, here are seven reasons to watch the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal.
Two Wins Shy of a Title
After entering the U.S. Open Cup in the Fourth Round, the Red Bulls have knocked off NYCFC, the Philadelphia Union and the New England Revolution.
If the Red Bulls defeat FC Cincinnati, they will advance to the Open Cup Final for the second time in club history.
Win or Go Home
There are no ties in U.S. Open Cup, so everything will be on the line Tuesday night.
If the teams are tied after 90 minutes, the game will head into extra time. If the clubs are still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, the match will be decided in a penalty-kick shootout.
In the Round of 16, the Red Bulls tied the Union in regulation, 1-1, and won the game on penalty kicks, 5-3.
MLS vs. USL
The Red Bulls will face a USL opponent in Open Cup for the first time since 2016.
In last year’s edition of the tournament, New York defeated USL’s Rochester Rhinos on the road, 1-0.
The Red Bulls will have to replicate the feat in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 30,000 at Nippert Stadium.
Brick Wall Ryan Meara
Through three U.S. Open Cup games, Ryan Meara has kept two clean sheets.
The goalkeeper has allowed just one goal in the tournament, and made a save in the Round of 16 PK shootout against the Philadelphia Union to keep New York’s tournament hopes alive.
Meara has made 13 saves in four games.
Can the Red Bulls Beat Mitch Hildebrandt?
Through five U.S. Open Cup matches, FC Cincinnati’s goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt has not yet allowed a goal in the tournament.
Cincinnati, since entering Open Cup in the Second Round, has won four of their five games with a score of 1-0, and defeated the Chicago Fire in a penalty-kick shootout.
The USL side has knocked out two MLS opponents thus far, and the Red Bulls will have to be the first team to score on Cincinnati, or prevail in PKs, if they hope to see the championship game.
New York Road Warriors
The Red Bulls have won four out their last five road matches in all competitions.
New York defeated the New England Revolution in their previous Open Cup game, and will be on the road for the remainder of the tournament.
Find Out Who Will Make the Starting XI for the Red Bulls
With three games in one week, it’ll be interesting to see how the Red Bulls line up on two-days rest against FC Cincinnati.
The Red Bulls played their starters on Saturday against Orlando City SC, and have another MLS game on Friday against the Portland Timbers.
Tune in on NewYorkRedBulls.com on Tuesday to find out how the Red Bulls line up with a shot at advancing to the Open Cup Finals!
