by JAKE NUTTING

Staff Writer

New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch promised that his side would show intensity and desire in its first U.S. Open Cup action of 2015 and they did not disappoint, dispatching the Atlanta Silverbacks in a thorough 3-0 victory.

Red Bulls Lloyd Sam, Ronald Zubar and Sean Davis lead the scoring for New York, who now advance to the firth round of the tournament.

Midfielder Lloyd Sam got on the scoresheet first for the home side in the 7th minute. Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips received a long ball into the box, and with no pressure coming from the Silverbacks back line, was able to lay a pass back to Sam at the top of the box. Sam wasted no time and blasted a shot by the frozen keeper Steward Ceus.

The Red Bulls struck again in the 16th minute when centerback Ronald Zubar poached a goal in his first appearance since opening day of the MLS season. Sacha Kljestan received the ball at the the left side of the box and took a hopeful shot that Ceus deflected away. The save fell directly to an unmarked Zubar for the simple finish — his first goal with the Red Bulls.

With Atlanta unable to develop any rhythm or possession of their own, the game began to see much more physical, desperate challenges. Captain Simon Mensing received a yellow card in the 19th minute for a dangerous tackle on Sam 20 yards from goal. Sam suffered groin and ankle injuries on the play and Dane Richards was brought on in his place in the 24th minute.

Sensing the choppiness of the game and with Atlanta putting up little fight, Marsch replaced Kljestan and Zubar with Sean Davis and Andrew Jean-Baptiste at halftime.

It was Davis who assured the victory in the 70th minute. After toying with the Atlanta back line all match, Mike Grella laid off a clever back heel to Davis at the top of the box. Davis took a strong left-footed striker that Ceus was able to get a hand on, but not enough to stop it from reaching the back of the net.

Substitute Dane Richards had two excellent opportunities to increase the lead. First in the 80th minute when he failed to beat Ceus in a one-on-one situation and then again when he rifled a shot well wide of the post on a promising counter in the 87th minute.

The missed opportunities did not hurt the Red Bulls in much danger, though, as the Silverbacks were unable to produce much in the attack. Forward Jaime Chavez sent two headers and shot wide of net on three occasions on the best scoring chances. In the end the Silverbacks were unable to put a shot on frame in the match. Playmaker Hans Denissen made little impact as second half substitute.

The Red Bulls next opponent in the U.S. Open Cup will be the winner of the Sporting Kansas City and St Louis FC match. The match will take place on wither June 30 or July 1 and the host will be determined on June 18.