New York Red Bulls win their first US Open Cup game since 2023 after a 4-1 win over reigning USL champions Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Tuesday night in Colorado. Two goals from Mohammed Sofo sank the opposition as a combination of smart finishing and managing the tough weather leads the club to their first cup win under head coach Sandro Schwarz.
New York Red Bulls didn’t dominate possession the way we’ve seen in MLS competition. Instead New York showed patience as they waited for their opportunities and showcased their individual talent to take the lead. Sofo opened the scoring in the 16th minute, bringing down a long ball from defender Alexander Hack and dribbling past the defense before opening the scoreline. Red Bulls continued to absorb pressure and wait for their opportunity, doubling the lead in the 44th minute when Sofo buried his second chance.
Colorado Springs came out after the break looking to force the issue but were unable to find the response needed to kick-start their night. While they continued to hold possession stats and seemingly control the pace of the game, Red Bulls were comfortable with those tactics, waiting for yet another chance to strike. That chance came in the 65th minute when Dennis Gjengaar buried an effort to push the lead to 3-0.
Minutes later Colorado Springs got a goal back thanks to Anthony Fontana’s effort. However, it wasn’t enough as Sean Nealis put the final exclamation point on a dominate win in the 85th minute, adding to the lead and solidifying a 4-1 victory for New York.
The win hands Red Bulls their first US Open Cup win in 2024 and sends them back to Harrison with a chance to host either FC Dallas or AV Alta FC. The win also erases a difficult loss to Inter Miami over the weekend and sets the club back on track, heading into a MLS Cup rematch against LA Galaxy on Saturday night.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Marcucci; Edwards, Parker, Hack, Eile (74′ Nealis), Stroud (59′ Edelman), Donkor, Gjengaar, Sofo (84′ Choupo-Moting), Carmona (74′ Forsberg), Bogacz (74′ Bogacz)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks: Herrera; Ward, Mahoney, Echeverria (65′ Endeley), Lacroix (76′ Foster), Real, Fontana, Fjeldberg (46′ Hanya), Michaletto (76′ Rocha), Huerman, Dhillon (61′ Tejada)
SCORING SUMMARY:
16′ (New York Red Bulls) Mohammed Sofo (1) assisted by Alexander Hack
44′ (New York Red Bulls) Mohammed Sofo (2) assisted by Noah Eile
65′ (New York Red Bulls) Dennis Gjengaar (1) assisted by Raheem Edwards
71′ (Colorado Springs Switchbacks) Anthony Fontana (1) assisted by Matt Real
85′ (New York Red Bulls) Sean Nealis (1) assisted by Eric Choupo-Moting
DISCIPLINE:
80′ (New York Red Bulls) Alexander Hack – YELLOW CARD
87′ (New York Red Bulls) Sean Nealis – YELLOW CARD
87′ (New York Red Bulls) Dennis Gjengaar – YELLOW CARD
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Raheem Edwards – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau