New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke said that a U.S. Open Cup fixture on June 14th would be “catastrophic.”

If the New York Cosmos advance, that catastrophe will become a reality.

According to a USSF release, the New York Cosmos have secured a June 14th date at Shuart Stadium for a possible match against the Red Bulls. The NASL Champions won the right of homefield advantage thanks to a coin toss early last week. The Saturday fixture would take place at 8:30 p.m., pitting the competition directly against the World Cup fixture of Ivory Coast v. Japan and following one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament; England v. Italy at 5:30 p.m..

Of course, none of this will be possible if the Cosmos fail to beat the Brooklyn Italians on May 28th. If the Italians advance, Petke will get his preferred June 11th starting date; a 7:30 p.m. Wednesday fixture at Red Bull Arena.

Both the Cosmos and Red Bulls engage in their final game before the World Cup break on June 8th. The Cosmos will host the Ottawa Fury while the Red Bulls play away at New England — another turf encounter.

The Red Bulls start a 19-day break from the 8th, not seeing additional MLS action until June 27th against Toronto F.C.. The team has been plagued by a congested schedule. Playing the Cosmos in the middle of their break was something Petke hoped to avoid.

“We have had a very front loaded schedule,” he said. “We played two more games then most teams. We played nine out of 15 on the road. Obviously, our guys need a rest and it’s the World Cup break.

“It’s very tough,” he continued. “Our last game is on June 8th and we don’t play until the 28th. If that game is put on the 14th or the 18th — actually the 14th would be catastrophic because you can’t get anytime before or after that.”

The Cosmos would simply need to maintain their health in order to come into the match at full strength. New York, however, will be without Tim Cahill, Roy Miller and Thierry Henry. Cahill and Miller will be with their respective national teams during the World Cup while Henry will take on announcing duties with the BBC.

Adding to their roster woes, the Red Bulls will likely be without Jamison Olave as well, who is medically withheld from partaking in matches on turf.

The tournament takes on added meaning for the Cosmos. It will be the first time the reborn side can pit itself against MLS competition. If successful in the tournament, it would also be their lone avenue towards a CONCACAF Champions League berth.