Red Bulls To Start 2009 Open Cup Campaign In San Jose On April 29

Published on February 24, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release

SECAUCUS, NJ (February 23, 2009) - Red Bull New York announced today that it will kick off its 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign on April 29, when it plays the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium at 10:30 PM ET (7:30 PM PT). The match is a play-in game as part of the first stage of MLS U.S. Open Cup qualifying. The winner of the game will face a to be determined MLS opponent later this year for the right to compete in this year's Open Cup tournament. New York is one of eight MLS teams battling for two spots in the full tournament field.

Created in 1914, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the United States. The single elimination tournament, which is similar to the prestigious English FA Cup, is open to all amateur and professional teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation.

Last year, the Red Bulls entered in the third round of the Open Cup after being one of the top six teams to qualify for the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs. Their run ended early, when they lost to United Soccer League Second Division side, Crystal Palace Baltimore, 2-0, on July 1 in Annapolis, MD. New York has never won the U.S. Open Cup, but reached the 2003 U.S. Open Cup Final before falling to the Chicago Fire, 1-0.

Despite earning their first trip to the MLS Cup Final in 2008, the Red Bulls are forced to go through MLS Open Cup qualifying since they were not one of the top six playoff teams at the end of last year's regular season. The Red Bulls went 1-0-1 against San Jose last season, but have never played the Earthquakes in Open Cup competition.

The 2008 MLS Cup Finalist Red Bulls begin the 2009 MLS season on March 19 at Seattle against the expansion Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field. The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes at 9 PM ET and locally broadcast live on WADO 1280 AM in Spanish.

Major League Soccer Stories from February 24, 2009

• Real Salt Lake Continues Shutout Streak in 4-0 Win over Univ. of Tampa - Real Salt Lake
• LA Galaxy Weekly - LA Galaxy
• D.C. United Announces Details for 2009 Kick-off Luncheon - D.C. United
• D.C. United Signs Mawate Ange N'Silu - D.C. United
• D.C. United waives Joe Vide - D.C. United
• Chicago Fire Weekly Notes - Chicago Fire FC
• Red Bulls To Start 2009 Open Cup Campaign In San Jose On April 29 - New York Red Bulls
• Earthquakes Host New York Red Bulls in U.S. Open Cup Play-In Match on Wednesday, April 29 - San Jose Earthquakes
• FC Dallas Acquires First Round Draft Pick and Allocation Money From Toronto FC - FC Dallas
• Toronto FC Acquires Canadian Adrian Serioux - Toronto FC
• FC Dallas Adds Colombian Midfielder - FC Dallas

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent New York Red Bulls Stories

• New York Red Bulls Forward Julian Hall and Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes Called to U-17 USYNT World Cup Preparation Camp
• Red Bulls Fall, 3-2, to Philadelphia Union in 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
• New York Red Bulls Add NYRB II Midfielder Rafael Mosquera to Short-Term Agreement Ahead of Match against Chicago Fire
• New York Red Bulls Acquire Swedish Midfielder Gustav Berggren from Raków Czestochowa
• Red Bulls Fall, 5-1, to Inter Miami CF at Sports Illustrated Stadium