The New York Red Bulls got off on the wrong foot to start a tough four-game stretch, but they'll look to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday against New York City FC in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
"We have a tough stretch coming up," Florian Valot said. "This weekend was not a good start for these four games, but we need a quick turnaround because NYCFC is coming on Wednesday, that’s going to be a tough game and we need to win that game."
In the first edition of the New York Derby in 2018, the Red Bulls put on a show, winning 4-0, with goals from Kaku, Valot, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Derrick Etienne, Jr.
"It’s going to be a different game, they’re going to come out and they want to redeem themselves," Valot said. "I think we’re going to expect a tough game. We’re just going to have to stick to the game plan that Jesse shows us and then put the work in."
New York enters this edition of the Open Cup after taking their run last season to the Final, finally falling to Sporting Kansas City, one step away from a trophy.
The Red Bulls will pick up MLS play again on Saturday against Columbus Crew SC on the road, and later face the Seattle Sounders at Red Bull Arena the following Wednesday.
"I think we’re going to have to go one game at a time, and I think get some confidence out of every game," Valot said. "I think if we put a good shift on Wednesday, I think we’ll build up that confidence going to Columbus and so on to Seattle. I think a win is really important to go forward."
The game will be streamed on NewYorkRedBulls.com.
