HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Few people understand the dynamics of the United States Open Cup match between New York City F.C. and the New York Cosmos on Wednesday night better than Mike Petke, the former coach of the Red Bulls.
Last year, Petke and the Red Bulls traveled to Shuart Stadium, the home of the Cosmos, and lost, 3-0. As a member of Major League Soccer, the top tier of the sport in the United States, the Red Bulls were apparent favorites over the Cosmos, who play in the second-tier North American Soccer League.
The ease with which the Cosmos defeated the Red Bulls — outshooting them by 21-3 — was partly a reflection of the quandary that M.