The New York Red Bulls aim to make history on Wednesday when they take on Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.
The match kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN 2, Watch ESPN and New York Red Bulls Radio on Tunein.
Here are seven reasons to watch Wednesday’s final.
One More
The New York Red Bulls are one win shy of clinching the 2017 U.S. Open Cup championship.
En route to the final, New York defeated NYCFC, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution and FC Cincinnati.
Ryan Meara Gets The Start
After a week of indecision, Head Coach Jesse Marsch announced on Monday that Ryan Meara will start in goal for New York in the U.S. Open Cup Final.
"We're all excited for a big opportunity for him and we know he'll be ready to go," Marsch said.
Meara has tallied two clean sheets in four Open Cup matches this season.
BWP vs. Tim Melia
Bradley Wright-Phillips has lifted New York to victory in back-to-back Open Cup matches, and hopes to repeat the feat once more against Sporting KC.
In order to score, he must beat goalkeeper Tim Melia, who is 10-0-2 in his last 12 Open Cup starts dating back to 2012.
Wright-Phillips enters the Final with three goals in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup tournament.
Making History
The Red Bulls have an opportunity to win the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in club history on Wednesday.
This is the franchise’s second Open Cup Final appearance in club history.
The 2003 MetroStars made it to the final, but lost to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium, 1-0.
Marsch, Armas, Hamlett Aim For Number Five
With a win against Sporting KC, Head Coach Jesse Marsch, Assistant Chris Armas and Sporting Director Denis Hamlett would earn their fifth career Open Cup title.
Armas and Marsch, former teammates at the Chicago Fire, and Hamlett, former assistant for the Fire, have won four Open Cup championships, including three all together in Chicago.
U.S. Open Cup Road Trip Finale
On the road to the Open Cup Final, the Red Bulls have won back-to-back games away from home in Boston and Cincinnati, and will need a third road win in Kansas City if they want to lift the cup.
In MLS action, the Red Bulls have gone 3-2-2 over their last seven MLS road matches, with a +3 goal differential during their current stretch.
Return of Royer?
Daniel Royer could see himself on the 18-man gameday roster for the U.S. Open Cup Final, according to Head Coach Jesse Marsch.
Royer hyperextended his knee and suffered a bone bruise in early August at Yankee Stadium.
The Austrian has been training in full with the team over the last couple of weeks and is closing in on returning to the roster.
"I don’t think he’s ready to start but he’s an option for the 18," Marsch said.
