Cruz Azul Goals: Palavecino 35’, Paradela 78'
New York City FC Goals: Murray 45+1’
Quick Read
New York City FC battled Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup action on Sunday night, with Max Murray heading home Nico Fernández Mercau’s free kick to cancel out Agustín Palavecino’s opener. The Boys in Blue pushed for a second after halftime, but José Paradela’s deflected strike in the 78th minute restored Cruz Azul’s lead and ultimately proved to be the difference.
Match Recap
New York City FC were back in Leagues Cup action on Sunday night as they took on Cruz Azul.
The Boys in Blue came into the contest fresh off a 2-0 win against Santos Laguna last time out and were keen to make it two wins from two games.
Pascal Jansen made three changes to the team that took on Santos, reintroducing Nico Fernández Mercau, Hannes Wolf and Talles Magno in place of Malachi Jones, Kevin O’Toole and Benié Traoré.
New York City started the brighter of the two sides and almost took the lead after two minutes. Some high pressing created the opportunity for Wolf, but his shot was blocked by Erik Lira.
Cruz Azul responded with a chance of their own in the 10th minute, but Agustín Palavecino was unable to keep his effort on target.
A minute later, Gonzalo Piovi tried his luck from distance, and although he forced a save from Matt Freese, it was a comfortable one for the goalkeeper.
Freese was called into action again not long after by José Paradela before Fernández Mercau tried his luck from distance at the other end. Neither effort was able to break the deadlock.
The two teams continued to trade shots at goal before Cruz Azul eventually broke the deadlock in the 35th minute.
Palavecino was the man to do it, producing a well-taken strike from the edge of the area that found the bottom corner.
New York City were keen to restore parity and did just that in first-half stoppage time through Max Murray.
The towering defender rose highest at a free kick to head home Fernández Mercau’s brilliant delivery to the back post.
New York City FC made a bright start to the second half, with Andrés Perea testing Kevin Mier early on.
Cruz Azul promptly responded, with Paradela firing wide before Gabriel Fernández stung the palms of Freese.
Jansen made a triple change just before the hour mark, introducing Mitja Ilenič, Malachi Jones and Kevin O’Toole in place of Gray, Agustín Ojeda and Nico Cavallo.
Ilenič quickly set about involving himself in the final third, drilling a shot that appeared to take a deflection before reaching Mier.
New York City then came within inches of claiming the lead in the 63rd minute when a clipped pass from Jones put Talles Magno in down the right. The Brazilian fashioned a low delivery that flashed across goal and just beyond Fernández Mercau’s diving attempt.
Jonny Shore was the next New York City player to try his luck, but his shot from distance lacked the accuracy to truly trouble Mier.
Cruz Azul managed to produce several half-chances through Palavecino, Fernández and Jeremy Márquez, but they were unable to beat Freese.
Jansen turned to his bench again in the 75th minute, introducing Luighi and Benié Traoré in place of Talles Magno and Shore.
Cruz Azul reclaimed the lead in the 78th minute through Paradela. His shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off James Sands, leaving Freese with no chance.
Romero then tried his best to escape the attentions of Ilenič inside the box. Although he managed to get his shot away, Ilenič stayed tight and deflected the ball behind with a well-timed block.
New York City FC continued to push for an equazlier but Cruz Azul presented a determined obstacle.
In the end, the Mexican side held on to their narrow advantage to hand New York City FC a 2-1 defeat in their second Leagues Cup group game.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a Leagues Cup meeting with Necaxa on Tuesday, August 11.
