Good Afternoon! The Red Bulls are back in US Open Cup action today (7:00pm) against Danny Cepero's current team, the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL 2nd Division. The Red Bulls line-up will, undoubtedly, be a mostly reserve team, as we've seen in the three US Open Cup play-in matches @Red Bull Arena. Harrisburg are currently bottom of the standings in USL2 (1 win in 11 games played) so anything less than a victory today would be a bitter dissapointment (and that's putting it mildly). With that in mind, let's get to some predictions:
Matt Conroy (aka Who Shot Sam) has this for us:
If this were an NASL club firing on all cylinders or a USL2 club near the top of the table, I might be concerned about a shock result. As it stands, however, we are facing a USL2 club that is rooted to the bottom of the standings. The Red Bulls should be inspired and pumped up by Saturday’s big win in Kansas City, though the lineup we will see tonight is anyone’s guess. 3-0 to the Red Bulls. Goals by Wolyniec, Nielsen and Chinn.I'm gonna call it 3-0 to the Red Bulls as well. I just don't see how we lose this one, although anything can and will happen. If, by chance, the City Islanders do manange to defeat the Red Bulls, then Mr. Backe will have not choice but to hand in his resignation. Alrighty then!
Homebrew Tim (who will be in attendance @Harrisburg) has this for us:
I realize that this has the makings of a “trap” game, made all the more “trappy” because our former keeper, Danny Cepero, will be between the posts for Harrisburg tonight. But... I’m not going to buy into the “trap” theme. Our U.S. Open cup qualifying run was nothing short of spectacular. We are coming off of a needed break and a win. Our reserves have been shown that strong performances in these matches does lead directly to time in league play. Our opponent is a USL-Second Division team that has played to a lousy 1-6-4 record, good for last place. The gap in talent between the two sides is simply too great (Their attempt at bringing in a couple players on loan from Philadelphia Union has apparently fallen through.) I see this game 3-1 Red Bulls. Chinn, Garcia, Nielsen. (HCI’s goal maybe from Cepero—ha ha!)Last, but not least, the great You Suck Corrales (via his Facebook fan page) has this for us:
NYRB are back at it tonight with our reserve team in the 3rd round of the US Open Cup away to Harrisburg. Although I cannot be there physically, I will be there in spirit. I have no fear that the annihilation of our enemies will continue as Mr. Backe guides our reserve forces. Prediction 4-0 to Red Bulls goals by Chinn... 2, Tchani 1, and everyone's favorite Irving Garcia scores! Danny Cepero be damned.Check out a preview of this match by clicking here. Hopefully, Homebrew Tim will have some first hand match analysis, and some pics/video, within the next few days so check back. This game will not be streamed as has been the case with the USOC games @RBA. There will, however, be live updates on Red Bulls Reader. Also, I'm told that Thecup.us will have a live blog as well. Viper Out!
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