Once again, the New York Red Bulls will face an Eastern Conference team, the New England Revolution, twice within a 10-day span.
RBNY’s success in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup sees the team in a familiar situation. What may seem to be a unique schedule, RBNY find themselves playing an Eastern Conference team twice in 10 days. This has also happened in the fourth round and round of 16. Once again the team will play the same team within a two-week span.
RBNY played against NYCFC in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. In conjunction with the MLS schedule, they also played a regular season game within 10 days. Once on Jun. 14 and once on Jun. 24.
Soon after, RBNY played Philadelphia in nearly the same timeframe. RBNY played the Union on the 18th and 28th of June.
This week and next week we will see RBNY play New England on the 5th and 13th of July.
How have RBNY faired with this unusual schedule? Well here are the results.
- June 14: RBNY 1 – NYCFC 0 (US Open Cup)
- June 18: RBNY 2 – Philadelphia 0 (MLS Season)
- June 24: RBNY 0 – NYCFC 2 (MLS Season)
- June 28: RBNY 1 (5) – Philadelphia 1 (3) (US Open Cup)
In a four-game stretch against two Eastern Conference Rivals, RBNY came away with three wins and one loss. Not too bad for a team that sits below the red line.
In the next two weeks, RBNY will look to deliver a one-two blow on a struggling New England side. A win on the 5th and again on the 13th could be a turning point for RBNY.
?? Happy #IndependenceDay ??
#REDTogether | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/1qjfg6Sjza— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 4, 2017
Match Preview, presented by your local @TriHondaDealers: #NEvNY
? ➡️ https://t.co/nuf1fWmZEl#RBNY pic.twitter.com/r2PlMt6zhw
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 3, 2017
Furthermore, it would see RBNY in the semifinals of the US Open Cup and quite possibly move the team above the red line.
On May 27th RBNY were successful against the New England Revolution. RBNY won by a score of 2-1.
While both games against New England will be away, RBNY will look to make a statement. RBNY will look to paint New England Red by advancing in the US Open Cup and winning in MLS play.
Who do you think will win this two game series? How do you think RBNY has fared in their many Eastern Conference matchups?