Luis Barraza endured a long game for NYCFC.
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
After getting eliminated and giving up three goals to your fiercest rival in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, New York City FC interim head coach Nick Cushing is getting second guessed for using a reserve goalkeeper.
Cushing defended using back-up goalkeeper Luis Barraza instead of Sean Johnson in his team’s 3-0 defeat to the Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.
Johnson, the team captain and off a superb performance for the U.S. men’s national team’s scoreless draw with Uruguay in an international friendly, sat on the bench. He is one of the best, if not best goalkeepers in Major League Soccer this season.
“We’ve gone with Luis in The Open Cup this year,” Cushing said. “We decided to remain with that because, one, we feel he is a good goalkeeper and he is the future for us and, two, because these goalkeepers have to get games in, in case they have to go in and play in season. Luis went in and played MLS games last season so we went with him again in Open Cup.”
In contrast, the Red Bulls went with its No. 1 keeper, Carlos Coronel, over Ryan Meara, who usually has been the team’s top choice in Open Cup games.
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