The New York Red Bulls have no time to dwell on their match in New England. On Wednesday, they'll open play in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against New York City FC for the second time in two years.
"Usually, after a loss, you like to reflect on what you did good, bad, or what you can do better, but I think the Open Cup coming so quickly -- and it being against NYCFC -- we just really have to put that behind us and start focusing and preparing for New York, right away," Aaron Long said.
Last year, the Red Bulls topped NYCFC in the same round of the Open Cup, 1-0, with Daniel Royer scoring the game-winner.
Jesse Marsch's squad will be working through some squad rotation, as they'll be missing five players from their normal gameday roster. Michael Amir Murillo and Fidel Escobar are preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Panama, Kaku is away at his first camp with the Paraguay National Team, while Tim Parker and Tyler Adams are preparing for a matchup with France for the U.S. Men's National Team. Long said the even though there's some difference in the personnel, the team will be ready.
"The good thing is that I train with these guys every day, and I feel I have a good relationship with all the defenders," Long said. "Whoever the goalkeeper is going to be, it’s a good relationship between everyone in the backline. I think everyone knows their role and the system helps everyone know their role and so it won’t be too hard."
Earlier this year, in the first matchup between the New York Derby rivals, the Red Bulls jumped out to a quick start, with two goals coming in the opening five minutes of the match.
"I think we always want to have a good start," Long said. "I think that’s something we’ve been stressing this year is coming out with a lot of energy, forcing our will upon other teams. We’re definitely going to want to have a good start, there’s no surprise to that, but if we can jump on them early at home, I think it favors us for sure."
The Open Cup match kicks off three matches in eight days for the Red Bulls -- and Long knows if they can pick up a W on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena, it will set them up nicely in the games to come.
"Yeah, the next two weeks are big," Long said. "I think this win against NYCFC will be a huge momentum push for the next week."
Tickets to the Open Cup match are available for $25, while the game will be streamed on NewYorkRedBulls.com and New York Red Bulls Radio.
