After the blowback that ex-Red Bulls coach Hans Backe took over his handling of the U.S. Open Cup — fielding a skeleton team and not even showing up for its 2011 loss — coach Mike Petke vowed to take it seriously. Wednesday night’s lineup and the scoreline reflected that, a 2-0 third-round win over Reading.
It should be noted that Reading AC is a PDL side, essentially the fourth division of American soccer. But considering the Red Bulls got knocked out in the fourth round last year by the unheralded City Islanders — and have never won a meaningful cup in their history — they’re not throwing back any victories.
The Red Bulls got second-half goals from striker Fabian Espindola and midfielder Lloyd Sam, and a clean sheet from keeper Ryan Meara to earn a fourth-round date with New England. It was especially sweet for Meara, starting his first meaningful game since suffering a hip injury last July 8 — ironically against New England — and needing season-ending surgery.
Meara had been the starter last season, and an MLS Rookie of the Year front-runner before tearing his labrum. Last night, he made several key saves as the Red Bulls muddled through a sluggish first half against red-hot Reading, rival Philadelphia Union’s PDL affiliate who had outscored their foes 18-0 in five games this season.
But in the second half, after Petke went to his bench and brought on Espindola for Peguy Luyindula and Dax McCarty for Juninho, the Red Bulls finally broke through against a pesky side filled with collegians and youngsters.
In the 61st minute, Lloyd Sam sent McCarty slipping through the defense on a give-and-go. McCarty sent a low slow cross trickling across the goalmouth, and Espindola beat his man to put a left-footed toe-poke past Reading keeper McCarthey. The Red Bulls iced it six minutes later.
Sam took the ball outside on right flank, cut inside with absolutely no resistance whatsoever. He ran a give-and-go with Espindola, and after getting the ball back beat McCarthey near post for a 2-0 lead. Sam, who has found playing time hard to come by, walked off to an ovation in the 84th minute.
The only negative was Espindola getting hurt in the 90th minute, limping off after a play with defender Ben Sweat that earned the Reading player a yellow card.
The Red Bulls improved to 5-0 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup when playing at Red Bull Arena. After playing host to Vancouver Saturday, the Red Bulls will have a break and then turn their attention back to the Open Cup. They will face the New England Revolution at Harvard in the fourth round, having never won the Cup and only reached the final once in 2003.
brian.lewis@nypost.com