NYCFC felt at RLS 1-2
On Wednesday night seeking to continue their excellent recent road form to NYCFC, Patrick Vieira made five changes to the XI for this game against struggling Real Salt Lake to take a big loss.
He would have been pleased with what he found in the early going as his fresh XI took the lead inside three minutes through one of those players rotated in.
Sean Okoli proved why Vieira believes he is the man capable of deputizing for David Villa as he seized upon an errant RSL pass, held off a defender and embarked on a strong run through the defense before firing across the goalkeeper into the corner as he fell.
It was a perfect start for the boys in blue which sapped the energy out of a home crowd who had seen just one win in nine games in Utah and their misery was further compounded by a sleet storm which began almost immediately after the goal.
They almost had cause for some rare home cheer on 18’ when Sean Johnson spilled a long range shot but the goalkeeper reacted well, springing back to life and smothering the rebound.
That opportunity heralded an improved spell from the hosts where they began to ask questions of the NYCFC defense but the shooting was wayward until 37’ when Rusnak equalized with a bolt from the blue.
The Slovakian former Man City youth player picked it up at the top of the box and fired through Frederic Brillant’s legs, leaving Johnson grasping for air as the ball ripped into the corner.
Just five minutes into the second period, Maund met a Salt Lake corner with an emphatic header which put Mike Petke’s side in the driving seat for the first time on the night at 2-1.
Vieira immediately sent for reinforcements in the shape of David Villa and Jack Harrison and their impact was almost immediate as the latter teed up the former for a shot which brought out the best of Nick Rimando in the RSL goal.
John Stertzer, back on his old home turf, was introduced as the final roll of the dice with 20 minutes remaining but NYCFC never really threatened to equalize in the remaining minutes of a disappointing night.
The MLS rivalry matchups and a battle between two Midwestern foes will headline the fourth round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The New York Red Bulls will host New York City FC, the Seattle Sounders will host Cascadia rival Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City will welcome Minnesota United FC to Children’s Mercy Park after they were all drawn together by US Soccer on Thursday.
The remaining 13 US-based MLS teams will face off against lower-division clubs. They learned their potential matchups and hosting scenarios for the fourth round on Thursday, with at least eight of the other 13 American MLS clubs set to host their fourth-round matchup.
The fourth round is set to be contested on June 13 and 14. The third round will be contested by NASL, USL and amateur clubs on May 31.
2017 US Open Cup Potential Fourth Round Matchups.
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