By Daniel Feuerstein | Harrison, NJ | April 15th, 2026
Red Bull New York opened their U.S. Open Cup campaign with a home match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who advanced after victories against Steel City FC and Virginia Dream FC. From the opening whistle, the Red Bulls were relentless, making multiple attacking runs and hunting their opponents whenever they had the ball. They showed no mercy, dominating the match in all facets. When the final whistle blew, it was the Red Bulls advancing to the next round as they defeated the Riverhounds by a final score of three goals to one.
Game Recap
The opening goal of the match was a beauty when the Red Bulls earned a free kick about three to four yards away from the area along the far side when Rafael Mosquera was fouled. Both Matthew Dos Santos and Emil Forsberg were preparing to see who would take the free kick. Dos Santos dummyed the ball and allowed Forsberg took the free kick and bent it beautifully inside the upper far 90, splashing the back of the net in the 25th minute.
Julian Hall Explodes
The next two goals came from the newest goal-scoring sensation, Julian Hall. As the play was being worked along the near side, Mohammed Sofo found Emil Forsberg wide open. He turned and passed to Nehuen Benedetti in the middle. Hiding between the defenders was Julian Hall, who stayed onside and got a great ball to make a quick run and scored his first goal in the 28th minute.
His second goal came just after the restart of the match. Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, along the near side, saw Adri Mehmeti in the middle. He received the ball and quickly gave it to Forsberg, who saw Hall make a run towards the net. Forsberg laid off a beautiful ball, which Hall took one time, but it was stopped, but not all the way, as it came off the goalkeeper’s right leg and rolled harmlessly over the goal line and into the back of the net in the 47th minute.
Bradley’s Thoughts
“I give a lot of credit to Michael and the coaching staff for helping me throughout preseason, the start of the season, and even up until now. Of course, there are a lot of things to work on, but I’m looking forward to keep progressing and getting better,” said Julian Hall. “Of course, I want to score goals, but my main objective is to make as much of an impact as I can. Thankfully, I got two tonight, and now I’m just ready for the game on Saturday.”
Even though the Riverhounds did pull one back by Trevor Amann in the 79th minute, the Steel City side just couldn’t find a way to get back into the match. The Red Bulls were relentless and were very hungry to get the victory and to score another goal if they could. They will now host NYCFC for the fourth time in Open Cup history at Sports Illustrated Stadium in two weeks.
“We are really excited. Obviously, I’ve watched the New York Derby from afar. I was at the game here last season, and so I think it speaks for itself in terms of the two clubs and everything that it means when two teams in the same city now play and are ready to go after each other. So, yeah, we already mentioned it a lot before, but we’re really excited. Obviously, these are important games, and there’s work to do between now and then. But for sure, when that game comes around, we will be ready, and we’re going to be really excited,” said Michael Bradley
The Injuries
A scary moment happened in the match as a collision inside the Red Bulls area saw Roald Mitchell and Riverhounds defender Lasse Kelp clash heads; both men were down and in pain or out cold. Both men were subbed out due to concussion protocol, and both sides were allowed a sixth substitution in the match. Hopefully, both men will be alright and can get back soon.
Game Standouts
JULIAN HALL: Two Goals in Open Cup Play, Now has Seven Goals in All Competitions
EMIL FORSBERG: Scored a Goal and an Assist, 2nd career Open Cup Goal, Two Goals in All Competitions
NEHEUN BENEDETTI: Earned an assist, his First Open Cup Assist
Red Bull New York defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds with big goals from their captain and newest goal-scoring sensation. Next up in the U.S. Open Cup is another Hudson River Derby. Two weeks from now.
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