Match Recap | Columbus Crew 2 4-2 New York City FC II

Columbus Crew 2: Gbamblé 14’, Pesthus 54’, 59' 

New York City FC II Goals: Flax 45+6’

Quick Read 

New York City FC II suffered a 4-2 defeat against Columbus Crew 2 on Saturday evening. Cooper Flax’s penalty drew City level before halftime, but Columbus struck twice after the restart. Luka Sunjic gave NYCFC II late hope in stoppage time before the hosts sealed victory with the final kick.

Match Recap 

New York City FC II returned to MLS NEXT Pro action on Saturday evening when they took on Columbus Crew 2.

Matt Pilkington’s side entered the game fresh off an emphatic 3-0 win against Orlando City B earlier in the week and looking to make it back-to-back victories.

New York City registered the first effort of note in the sixth minute. Eóin Martin rose inside the box to meet a delivery, but his header was comfortably saved by Columbus goalkeeper Luke Pruter.

Despite enjoying the better of the early exchanges, NYCFC II fell behind in the 14th minute. Jorge Salmeron played Kevin Gbamblé through on goal, and he slid the ball under Mac Learned to give Columbus the lead.

Jamil Danjaji went close to doubling that advantage two minutes later when he forced Learned into a save.

NYCFC II responded positively to the setback and began to apply more pressure. In the 22nd minute, Luka Sunjic tested Pruter from inside the area before Caleb Danquah saw his attempt blocked by Christopher Rogers. Cooper Flax followed up with another opportunity, but his effort missed the target.

Danquah produced NYCFC II’s next opening four minutes later, collecting the ball in a central position outside the box before sending an effort narrowly wide of the right post.

The game settled into a quieter spell after that, with clear-cut chances at a premium. Columbus produced the next major opening in the 37th minute when Danjaji found space on the right side of the penalty area, but his effort traveled wide.

The tempo changed dramatically in the closing stages of the half as NYCFC II mounted a late push for an equalizer.

David Duque came within inches of leveling the score when his effort took a deflection and flew just past the post. From the resulting corner, Columbus had Pruter to thank for preserving its lead. The goalkeeper first stopped Joseph Suchecki’s bobbling effort, which appeared destined for the bottom corner, before denying Peter Molinari on the follow-up.

Pruter’s resistance was finally broken deep into stoppage time when NYCFC II were awarded a penalty after the goalkeeper brought down Sunjic inside the area.

Flax stepped up and sent Pruter the wrong way from the spot to draw NYCFC II level before the break.

The second half began with one change for NYCFC II as James Bilden replaced Caleb Danquah. Columbus started brightly and reclaimed the lead in the 54th minute through Owen Presthus.

Presthus threatened again four minutes later with an effort from distance that required a good save from Learned. Gbamblé quickly followed up, only to see his shot blocked by Adonis Campos.

Columbus added a third soon after as Presthus struck from distance for his second of the evening.

NYCFC II attempted to summon an immediate response through Flax, but his effort flew wide of the target. Pilkington then turned to his bench, introducing Jacob Arroyave in place of Duque.

The hosts continued to create opportunities as the game moved beyond the hour mark. Danjaji saw an effort from the center of the box blocked by Sunjic in the 64th minute before Presthus fired wide from the right side of the area moments later.

Presthus was involved again in the 69th minute, only for Suchecki to block his effort as Columbus searched for a fourth. Two minutes later, Gbamblé came close to adding his second of the evening, but Learned was on hand to make the save.

Pilkington made two further changes in the 80th minute, introducing Niccolo Viafades and Drew Kerr in place of Campos and Juan Ponce as NYCFC II searched for a route back into the contest.

That route arrived in stoppage time when substitute Arroyave found Sunjic inside the area. Sunjic guided a low effort across Pruter and into the net to reduce the deficit and give NYCFC II late hope.

Any hopes of completing the comeback were extinguished with the final kick of the game, however. Gbamblé struck from distance to claim his second of the evening and seal a 4-2 victory for Columbus.

How We Lined Up

What's Next 

Next up for New York City FC II is a game against FC Cincinnati 2 on Wednesday, August 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00PM ET.