Head Coach Ronny Deila was forced into a number of changes for this first meeting with Montreal in 2020, with a combination of injuries and suspensions denying him a clutch of players.
Taty Castellanos and Maxime Chanot were both ruled out due to yellow card accumulation, meaning it was Jesus Medina who started up top, while Sebastien Ibeagha partnered up with Alex Callens at the heart of the defense.
Maxi Moralez was able to make his first start since the middle of September after successfully coming through a 30' substitute appearance on the road in Columbus last weekend with no ill effect.
Going into this Saturday night showdown in the BX, City were unbeaten since the 2015 season vs. Montreal in one of the Club's longest-standing runs vs. one opponent, and they looked to continue this proud run with a strong start.
Gary Mackay-Steven drew two good saves from James Pantemis in an attritional first half, while Maxi Moralez also brought the best out of the Montreal 'keeper in a scoreless first 45' where neither side was able to lay a glove on the other.
NYCFC picked it up after the interval and it wasn't too long until Jesus Medina had opened the scoring on 68'. It was an excellent sweeping move from the home side as they moved the ball right up the opposition half before Matarrita squared for Medina to slot home after some confusion in the Montreal backline.
Two became three in the final 10' when Maxi Moralez announced his return to the starting XI with a beautiful finish from an Anton Tinnerholm cut-back for his first goal of the regular season.
The NYCFC scoring was complete five minutes later when Tony Rocha volleyed a brilliant goal in from a corner kick for his first goal for NYCFC, before the visitors replied with a late consolation goal through Quioto.
All in all, a satisfying night's work which, at the time of writing, moves NYCFC up to fifth place in the standings and within one result of reaching the MLS Playoffs.
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