New York City FC headed to Mapfre Stadium on Saturday to face off against Columbus Crew SC, as the team looked to extend their singular season record unbeaten streak which stood at eight.
Coming into the matchup, Head Coach Dome Torrent made two changes to the Starting XI. Ben Sweat and Ebenezer Ofori made their return to the lineup for the Boys in Blue.
The Crew started the match maintaining possession and taking a shot on goal five minutes into the match. David Guzman threatened the NYCFC goal with the first attempt of the game, but Sean Johnson was there to make a strong save down to his left.
Although the home team had a brighter start to the match, the defense held strong, with James Sands especially dominant in the City backline.
Unfortunately for NYC, Columbus Crew notched the first goal of the night on a penalty kick from Gyasi Zardes in the 28’ minute.
Alex Callens was adjudged to have made the foul leading to the spot-kick and VAR upheld the decision, much to the Copa America-bound Peruvian's frustration.
Right before going into the half, Ofori’s addition to the lineup nearly paid off as the midfielder took the team’s first meaningful shot on goal which flashed just wide of goal.
NYCFC retired to half-time down by one.
Coming into the second half, the team’s urgency to score the equalizer was clear.
First half substitute Ismael Tajouri-Shradi was influential when it came, connecting with Maxi Moralez, who crossed the ball to Héber for NYCFC’s first goal of the night, tying up the game at 1-1 in the 57’ minute.
It was the Brazilian's fourth goal for NYCFC and it came at the end of a breathtaking counter-attack.
The Crew, four minutes later, responded to City’s goal with a goal of their own from Pedro Santos, regaining the lead on their home turf, 2-1 in the 61’ minute.
The hunt for the equalizer resumed for NYCFC, and Torrent made a bold move, bringing in another attacker in the shape of Castellanos from the bench.
The attempts kept flowing in from the road with vicious shots from Alexandru Mitriță and Tajouri-Shradi, but Zack Steffen was there to make the saves on his farewell appearance for Columbus, before taking up gloves for our sister club in Manchester.
However, the moment of the night was still come and it was the addition of Castellanos which paid off in fine style in the 76’ minute as he scored one of the goals of the season so far, taking aim from all of 35 yards and finding the bottom corner with a rocket of a shot.
That's how it stayed, meaning NYCFC extends their unbeaten streak to nine games.
Other news - Focus
Other news
- 13:35 One absent for New York City FC for the trip to Charlotte
- 13:29 New York City FC 2024 team numbers confirmed
- 16:52 Three Keys of NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls
- 16:23 NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls, Cushing: "Incredible atmosphere at Yankee Stadium"
- 01:20 The Knicks can sacrifice Immanuel Quickley for a star
- 00:01 Maxi Moralez: "I can't wait to be reunited with the fans"
- 23:00 Maxi Moralez back to NYCFC: "I couldn’t be more excited"
- 22:03 David Lee: "Maxi will bring leadership and experience to our group"
- 22:00 OFFICIAL - Maxi Moralez Returns to New York City Football Club
- 13:00 David Lee: "We're excited to integrate Fernandez into the team"
- 07:20 NYCFC Signs Argentinian Forward Julián Fernández
- 15:30 Bernardeschi can leave Toronto: there is interest from an Italian club
- 14:30 Los Angeles Galaxy crazy offer to Hriving Lozano
- 13:42 CR7: "Saudi Pro League is much better than the MLS"
- 18:44 NYCFC, failing season. The trend needs to be reversed
- 17:27 Birk Risa: "I'm happy to be here, I can't wait to get started"
- 15:39 OFFICIAL - NYCFC Signs Norwegian Defender Birk Risa
- 13:44 Taty Castellanos moves to Lazio
- 13:40 Inter Miami, Alba también se sumará al proyecto
- 23:36 OFFICIAL - Inter Miami, Gerardo Martino named new coach
- 22:58 Timothy Weah has landed in Turin, he will be a Juventus player
- 22:56 OFFICIAL - Kai Havertz is a new Arsenal player
- 15:30 Bayern Munich on Kane, there is an agreement on the contract but not the one with Tottenham
- 14:30 West Ham reject Arsenal's third offer for Rice. Manchester City are considering withdrawing from the auction
- 13:24 Mbappé at Real, the striker's mother-agent is the key: she will be the one to deal with PSG
- 19:15 OFFICIAL - "Welcome to Finnesota". Center forward Pukki restarts from MLS
- 19:13 OFFICIAL - Mateo Kovacic leaves Chelsea and signs with Man City
- 18:30 AC Milan wants Pulisic. Berhalter advises the US midfielder
- 18:00 West Ham: 100 million not enough for Declan Rice, rejected offers from Arsenal and Man City
- 17:30 Timothy Weah moves to Italy
- 17:00 NYCFC may pursue former Vancouver Whitecaps player
- 16:30 Antoine Griezmann wants to play in MLS and rejects the offer from Saudi Arabia
- 15:59 Keaton Parks: "I'm happy to be able to do goal and assist"
- 15:32 Bayern Munich, formal offer for Harry Kane
- 15:23 Andrea Pirlo returns to Italy, signs with Sampdoria
- 13:28 Manchester City's Champions League win could impact NYCFC's future
- 12:00 James Sands Selected To Represent The USMNT At The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup
- 08:30 Lionel Messi lands in the MLS: pros and cons
- 23:48 Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC: one player unavailable for Cushing
- 23:46 NYCFC, Cushing: “We’re Desperate For The First Road Win"
- 22:34 MLS statement on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF
- 21:54 OFFICIAL - Messi is a new player of Inter Miami FC
- 19:09 Messi's signing with Inter Miami FC