He's been through only one cycle of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before the current campaign. But Ray Reid understands what that storied competition is all about and just how much is on the line.
He has been there and done it before as a successful head coach in the NCAA soccer tournament.
As coach of two successful men's college teams over three decades, the Hartford Athletic technical director had to meander through many a postseason competition -- all stocked with talented teams, trapdoors and surprises around every corner.
"I think they're similar," Reid said. "They're similar that on any given day, anybody can win. We played great teams at UConn that weren't as good as we were but, on the day, were better off and fortunate.
“I think that's the same thing with the Open Cup. I mean, with all due respect, Sacramento [the USL Championship side who reached last year’s Open Cup Final] has done a fantastic job,” he said. “But if you listed every team in the Cup, they wouldn't be the second-best team. Yet in that competition, what they've done is unbelievable. They almost won it.
“So, the knockout competition, in some ways, is very similar to the NCAA tournament,” Reid added. “If you don't have your right game, on the right day, you go home."
History of Post-Season Successes
Reid's teams did go home early often.
In fact, he holds the distinction of coaching four sides to college soccer glory. Southern Connecticut State University, out of New Haven, won three successive NCAA Division II titles in the 1990s and his University of Connecticut squad secured the Division I crown in 2000.
Last year the 62-year-old Reid was introduced to the Open Cup up close and personal with Hartford Athletic, who defeated Oyster Bay United 3-1 in the Second Round before falling to the New York Red Bulls of MLS (2-1) in the Third Round.
Now they’re off to a similar start, beating amateurs Lansdowne Yonkers 3-0 to earn another Third Round date at MLS’ New England Revolution.
