Open Cup Bulls’ best chance at silverware
Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final isn’t just the biggest game of the Red Bulls’ season. It may be the biggest game they’ve ever played in any season.
Wednesday’s clash at Sporting KC (9 p.m., ESPN2) is a chance to erase the stigma of being the league’s only original club still without an MLS or U.S. Open Cup.
“At first I joined this club and I said ‘Yeah, I understand the fans that’ve been here since the beginning and had never lifted a trophy.’ But now that I’ve been here for 2 ½ years and gotten to know some of these fans, and the people that have worked for this club and gone this long without winning, I fully understand it,’’ captain Sacha Kljestan said. “It would mean a lot to all of us.”
No, it’s not the Curse of the Bambino. And it can’t match the Cubs’ 108-year drought. But it’s long enough to build angst in their longsuffering fans.
“We understood New York, going back to the MetroStar days, had never won a tournament,’’ coach Jesse Marsch said. “There had been some Supporters’ Shields, but there had never been a tournament. This is a big opportunity for the club and team, and something we’ve taken seriously.”
They wasted their only two other opportunities, a 1-0 loss to Chicago in the 2003 Open Cup, and a 3-1 loss to Columbus in the MLS Cup five years later. They’re hoping the third time is the charm.
“Ultimately, it’s always going to come down to silverware and what you’re winning. And for the longest time this organization didn’t have that,’’ goalkeeper Luis Robles said. “It’s an opportunity for us to not only show the league but ourselves that everything we preach, and we’re working for each and every day, can come to fruition.”
They do have two pieces of silverware, Supporters’ Shields for MLS’ best record in 2013 and ’15. But ask a Rangers fan in 1992 how much of a consolation it is to win the Presidents’ Trophy. Then duck.
“Well, over here the Shield means nothing. … Over here you get no credit for the Shield, so I guess we need a trophy, right?” said Bradley Wright-Phillips, who has shouldered even more of the load since Daniel Royer’s Aug. 6 knee injury. He won’t start Wednesday but has resumed practicing.