Head Coach Patrick Vieira has named a strong XI for NYCFC’s US Open Cup clash at Red Bull Arena.
Making just two changes from the side which started the 2-1 MLS win over Philadelphia Union before the international break, it’s an XI which makes Vieira’s US Open Cup motivation clear.
Maxime Chanot misses out through the hamstring injury picked up on Luxembourg duty and is replaced by Frederic Brillant, while Miguel Camargo comes out for Mikey Lopez as the only other alteration.
US Open Cup rules dictate that only five non-US players are permitted in the squad which may explain why Andrea Pirlo is not on the 18 following his recent recovery from a knee injury.
Sean Johnson retains his place in goal behind Ben Sweat, Brillant, Alexander Callens and Ethan White, with Alex Ring and Mikey Lopez patrolling in front.
Captain David Villa makes his US Open Cup debut in front of Maxi Moralez, Jack Harrison and Tommy McNamara as NYCFC look to make it past the fourth round stage for the first time in Club history.
On the bench, Shannon Gomez is joined by Eirik Johansen, Jonathan Lewis, John Stertzer, Sean Okoli, RJ Allen and Andre Rawls.
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NYCFC XI: Johnson, White, Brillant, Callens, Sweat, Ring, Lopez, Moralez, Harrison, McNamara, Villa (C)
NYCFC Subs: Johansen, Rawls, Gomez, Allen, Stertzer, Lewis, Okoli
WATCH: Live Stream of NYCFC at Red Bulls from 8pm ET
Key Stats
- David Villa, Tommy McNamara, Maxi Moralez, Alex Ring, Ben Sweat, Sean Johnson, Alexander Callens all make their US Open Cup debuts for NYCFC.
- Villa is one away from his 50th goal for New York City FC
- El Guaje is NYCFC’s top-scorer in 2017 with eight goals in 14 games, while Maxi Moralez has the team’s most assists with seven.
- NYCFC have never been beyond the fourth round stage of the US Open Cup
- The boys in blue crashed out of the Open Cup at the fourth round stage at the hands of the Cosmos in 2016.
- A 4-3 penalty shootout defeat denied NYCFC progress in their inaugural season.
- Red Bulls have never won the US Open Cup – the closest they came was in 2003 when they finished as runners-up.
- NYCFC are 7-5-3 for the season so far, lying in third position in the Eastern Conference.
- Red Bulls’ record stands at 6-7-2 and they are in sixth place.
- Bradley Wright-Phillips is Red Bulls’ top-scorer through 15 games with six goals, while Sacha Kljestan is their top assist-maker with six.
