Schwarz Hopes for “Special Moments” in Open Cup

New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz knows how important the US Open Cup is to his team, a team that has only two finals appearances in their history but can fast-track their hunt for silverware in short order with a strong performance. The club enters the round of 16 this Wednesday against stiff MLS competition in FC Dallas, a club that they will not play in MLS competition. Schwarz hopes that his team can take advantage of what is a rare opportunity to lift a cup in short order.

“We have the chance with not so many games to create special moments,” said Schwarz about what his team can achieve. “You have to go step-by-step and tomorrow is the next step against FC Dallas. The is what we have to prepare for, but it’s our next opportunity and it’s good that we are playing directly after the last game against NYCFC.”

Red Bulls have lost two games in short order, both road losses to Nashville SC and then another Hudson River Derby loss to NYCFC. The club has stuttered as they enter the halfway point of the 2025, sitting underneath the playoff line and looking for consistency on the offensive side of the ball.

While that may seem like an issue, the opposite is true of the team’s ability to produce in knockout games. Last season, the team defeated Columbus Crew, NYCFC and Orlando City SC on the road in their journey to MLS Cup. Schwarz’s capacity to alter the team’s fundamentals for a specific style of game is an interesting trait that throws off many teams.

Red Bulls play FC Dallas on Wednesday night at SI Stadium, another quick turnaround which will be followed by a trip against rivals DC United on the weekend.