by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

Staff Writer

After gaining seven points out of a possible nine from their last three league matches, New York City FC turn their attention to the U.S. Open Cup and the dubbed “East River Derby” with the New York Cosmos.

It will be the team’s first Open Cup match — and they pledge to give the occasion their undivided attention.

“For me, [the U.S. Open Cup] one of the most advantageous tournaments because you only have to win four or five games and all of a sudden you have a trophy and you’re in CONCACAF,” NYCFC boss Jason Kreis said. “CONCACAF Champions League for me and for this club is going to be a big, big goal.”

NYCFC will travel to Hofstra University to take on the newly crowned NASL Spring Season Champions on Wednesday June 17th in the Fourth Round of the competition. While fans of both teams have been eagerly anticipating the match, NYCFC’s early season struggles led to questions about how the team would prioritize the tournament.

Kreis said he does not know how many of his first team players would need to be rested for Wednesday’s match with a match at Toronto FC coming up on the 20th. Nevertheless, he said the team’s goal is to win trophies and the team he selects on Wednesday will reflect that.

Kreis led Real Salt Lake to the 2013 U.S. Open Cup Final before an upset loss at home to a D.C. United squad that would set the MLS record for fewest wins in a season. NYCFC are only three points behind Columbus Crew SC for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but if they fall out of playoff contention, they can be in a similar position as that D.C. United squad who fielded full strength sides as the tournament progressed.

NYCFC forward David Villa won two Copa del Rey titles while playing in Spain for Real Zaragoza and FC Barcelona. With two goals in his past three matches, Villa’s form has been on the ascent.

While he gave no suggestion as to whether or not he would play this Wednesday, he said he hopes the team can make successful runs in both the league and the domestic cup.

“I think it would be an attractive game for the fans and for everyone to play the Cosmos,” Villa said. “It’s a different derby. We obviously know we can play the Red Bulls in MLS but this is a derby that we can only see in the Cup and I hope we can continue the good spell and win the tie.”