New York City FC Goals: Luighi 71'
New England Revolution Goals: Gil 12' (PK), Gazdag 90+3'
Quick Read
New York City FC fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against the New England Revolution at Citi Field. Carles Gil’s first-half penalty gave the visitors the lead before Luighi equalized from close range after the break. The Boys in Blue pushed for a winner, but Dániel Gazdag struck deep into stoppage time to secure all three points for New England.
Match Recap
New York City FC were in the World’s Borough on Wednesday night as they hosted the New England Revolution.
The hosts were keen to build on three consecutive draws, a run that began against New England late last month.
With Head Coach Pascal Jansen attending to a personal matter in Europe, Assistant Coach Mehdi Ballouchy led the team and made two changes to the XI that faced Nashville SC last time out. Mitja Ilenič and Aiden O’Neill came in for Tayvon Gray and Luighi.
New York City FC started brightly, registering their first chance in the third minute when Nicolás Fernández Mercau fired wide from just outside the area.
The hosts continued to build momentum, creating several chances in quick succession. Agustín Ojeda saw an effort deflected behind for a corner, before O’Neill fired over from the resulting set piece.
Bénie Traoré then tested New England’s defense, but his shot was blocked by Mamadou Fofana.
Despite that bright start, New York City FC fell behind in the 12th minute after New England were awarded a penalty for handball.
Carles Gil stepped up and sent Matt Freese the wrong way to put the visitors ahead.
The hosts sought an immediate response and created a great chance for Traoré. Unfortunately, the forward could not make clean contact with the ball, allowing Matt Turner to gather comfortably.
New York City FC began to dominate possession and pin their opponents back, although they struggled to create clear-cut chances.
That changed as halftime approached. Fernández Mercau saw an effort blocked by Jackson Yueill in the 40th minute, before Ilenič tried his luck from distance two minutes later but failed to hit the target. Traoré also fired wide several minutes later.
The hosts continued their bright start after the break, with Ilenič drawing a save from Turner in the 52nd minute.
New England then rallied. Yueill forced a strong save from Freese with a header, before Dor Turgeman had an effort blocked by Thiago Martins. Matt Polster then sent a low drive just past Freese’s right-hand post.
Ballouchy made his first changes of the night in the 63rd minute, introducing Hannes Wolf and Luighi in place of Ojeda and O’Neill.
Andrés Perea went close shortly afterward with a header that required an intervention from Turner.
Fernández Mercau continued to cause problems and, in the 68th minute, wriggled away from pressure before unleashing a powerful low drive that Turner turned around the post.
The hosts had battled tirelessly in search of an equalizer and were finally rewarded in the 70th minute. Dogged play from Fernández Mercau saw him win a 50-50 challenge before squaring the ball for Luighi to tap home from close range.
New England remained a threat, and in the 77th minute, a poor clearance allowed Peyton Miller to attempt a volley inside the area. Thankfully, he failed to make clean contact and Freese gathered comfortably.
The visitors thought they had retaken the lead in the 85th minute when a defensive mix-up saw Thiago Martins deflect the ball away from Freese and into the path of Daniel Gazdag. After a review, however, Gazdag was deemed to be offside and the goal was disallowed.
New York City FC made a third change in the 89th minute, with Malachi Jones replacing Traoré.
Unfortunately, there was a sting in the tail for New York City FC as Gazdag put New England ahead deep into stoppage time, controlling a cross before firing a low shot past Freese.
The hosts did manage to ofashion one last chance after clever work by Luighi on the byline, his shot was saved and Jones follow up flew wide.
That proved to be the final act of the night, leaving the Boys in Blue to suffer a 2-1 defeat.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with Real Salt Lake on Saturday, September 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30PM ET.
