The Red Bulls will open the U.S. Open Cup in the third round on May 29 against either Charleston or Reading.

After essentially conceding last year’s tournament due to a host of injuries and absences – fielding a third-choice team and head coach Hans Backe not even deigning to make the trip – the team insists they’re taking the U.S. Open Cup more seriously this time around.

“We want to win the Open Cup this year,’’ Backe said last week.

Reading United AC of the PDL plays a second-round tilt at the USL PRO Charleston Battery’s Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 22.

If Reading wins, the Red Bulls will host the third-round tilt at 7 p.m. at Red Bull Arena in Harrison. If the Battery advances, then the Red Bulls would travel to Blackbaud Stadium at 7:30 p.m.