The New York Red Bulls blitzed their rivals from across the Hudson in the second half for a 3-0 win to advance to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. It’s the team’s first trip to the last four of the oldest cup competition in United States soccer since 2017.
Lewis Morgan and Luquinhas scored for the second consecutive game, while Omir Fernandez found the back of the net for the second time in the last three meetings with NYCFC.
It’s the third consecutive win in the New York Derby for the Red Bulls. They’re unbeaten against NYCFC dating back to 2020.
After a scoreless first half, the Red Bulls earned a free kick in the 52nd minute. Tom Edwards delivered a ball to the back post, where Aaron Long headed it back to the top of the six-yard box for Morgan to tap it home.
NYCFC’s Thiago Andrade put his team down a man after receiving a red card in the 62nd minute.
The Red Bulls doubled their lead thanks to a crafty finish from Luquinhas. The Brazilian attacking midfielder received a rebound inside the box, took a few touches past the keeper and blasted it into the corner in the 70th minute.
The Red Bulls made it three in stoppage time, as Cameron Harper centered a cross to Fernandez, who took a touch and buried it to cap the victory.
Edwards and NYCFC’s Maxi Moralez both received red cards following the final whistle as rivalry tempers flared.
The Red Bulls will play the winner of next Wednesday’s Orlando City-Nashville matchup in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on July 26 or 27. The team is back in action in Los Angeles on Sunday against LAFC. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET, live nationally on ABC.
Editor's Note: This week I found out friends know Edwards and I spent the whole of the halftime talking with the son of Maxi and his friends, then both get reds...