MATCH RECAP, pres. by Provident Bank: Red Bulls Top Switchbacks FC, Advance to Open Cup Round of 16

The New York Red Bulls advanced to the Round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup following a 4-1 victory over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Tuesday evening.

Mohammed Sofo scored a first-half brace for New York, while Dennis Gjengaar and Sean Nealis also got on the scoresheet in the win.

"First of all, I want to say thank you to our supporters," Head Coach Sandro Schwarz said. "It's amazing that we had some here, in person, supporting us. That's great in the stadium, and with this weather here, that they are traveling, that's great and big, big thank you for that. It's a good feeling for us."

Sofo registered his first career multi-goal game for New York across all competitions. It was the first multi-goal game for a New York player in the U.S. Open Cup since June 6, 2018 by Daniel Royer. The Ghanian forward has recorded five goal contributions (4G,1A) in three career U.S. Open Cup appearances.

"What we have seen of him today is the result of his development at the beginning of the year," Schwarz said of Sofo. "It started with the preseason. He's very aggressive, he's also very strong in the duel. He’s not the physical, tall guy, but he's very, very strong in the duel, very aggressive in deep runs and then also to score, able to make the goals, to make the last pass. So it worked very well, and he showed us the last couple of weeks as well."

Sofo has scored in three of his four career starts across all competitions for the Red Bulls. The forward has scored three goals in his last two appearances for the Red Bulls.

"Every opportunity is something I try to grab," Sofo said. "You know, it doesn't matter which competition I'm playing in, whether it's MLS or Open Cup. I try to give my best for the team, which is something I always try to do, and then I'm here. Doesn't matter the competition, I guess. Try to give my best always."

The Red Bulls opened up the scoring in the 16th minute, when Alexander Hack played a long ball over the top of the Switchbacks FC’s backline and Sofo won the ball and fired a left footed shot into the bottom corner.

Hack recorded his first career U.S. Open Cup assist; this was also his first career assist for the Red Bulls.

New York added a second in the 44th minute, when Noah Eile slotted a through ball into the path of Sofo, who placed the ball in the bottom right corner of the Switchbacks net.

Eile recorded his first career U.S. Open Cup assist and his second of the season.

The Red Bulls scored their third goal of the match, when Raheem Edwards played a cross to the top of the box to Gjengaar, who fired a shot into the top right corner.

Gjengaar scored his first career U.S. Open Cup goal and his second of the season across all competitions.

Edwards tallied his second career U.S. Open Cup assist and his second of the season across all competitions.

New York added a fourth goal in the 85th minute, when Nealis traveled up the field and won a header, which found the feet of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. He then laid the ball off to Nealis, who placed a ball into the bottom right corner.

Nealis scored his first career U.S. Open Cup goal and the fifth of his career with the Red Bulls across all competitions. The Massapequa, N.Y. native moves into a tie for seventh place in franchise history for goals by a defender across all competitions with Kemar Lawrence and Connor Lade.

Choupo-Moting tallied his first career U.S. Open Cup assist and his second of the season across all competitions.

New York will host the winner of FC Dallas and AV Alta FC, who will face off on Wednesday evening.

"We just have to keep focus with a long journey ahead," Sofo said. "Just have to take it game by game, not thinking, you know too much ahead. Today we had a win, we are happy. Just have to recover well and then we start again on Thursday to work hard and then focus on the next game."

The Red Bulls moved to a 17-8-1 mark in their opening match in the U.S. Open Cup in franchise history.

A.J. Marcucci, Wiktor Bogacz, Eile, Hack, Emil Forsberg, Gjengaar, Choupo-Moting and Ronald Donkor made their U.S. Open Cup debuts.

Daniel Edelman made his return from injury and made his first appearance since April 5 against Chicago Fire FC.

New York returns to Sports Illustrated Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy for Noche Latina presented by New Jersey Lottery, on Saturday, May 10. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish, and New York Red Bulls Radio presented by Sports Illustrated in English via the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.