New York City FC Goals: Traoré 4' (PK), Luighi 45+2' (PK)
Philadelphia Union Goals: Jean Jaques 48', Damiani 69', 75'Â
Quick ReadÂ
New York City FC fell to a 3-2 defeat against the Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium. First-half penalties from Bénie Traoré and Luighi gave the Boys in Blue a two-goal lead, but Philadelphia responded after the break. Danley Jean Jacques pulled one back before Bruno Damiani struck twice to complete the turnaround and end New York City’s three-game unbeaten run in MLS.
Match RecapÂ
New York City FC were back in the Bronx on Sunday evening as they hosted the Philadelphia Union.
The Boys in Blue returned to MLS action against the Union looking to claim all three points and extend their unbeaten run to four games.
Pascal Jansen made several changes to the side that faced Club Necaxa earlier in the week, while also handing MLS debuts to defender Max Murray and forward Luighi. Elsewhere, Nico Fernández Mercau missed the game through suspension, with compatriot AgustÃn Ojeda coming into the team.
The hosts made an ideal start when they were awarded a penalty after just two minutes, with Union defender Neil Pierre adjudged to have tugged the jersey of Andrés Perea.
Bénie Traoré stepped up to take the spot kick and confidently dispatched it, his effort kissing the inside of the post before nestling in the net.
The visitors had a great chance to equalize soon after through Milan Iloski. The forward found himself with several good looks at goal early on, but on this occasion he was unable to beat Matt Freese.
New York City’s next opportunity fell to Luighi, but the Brazilian forward was unable to keep his effort on target.
The two teams were now trading chances. First, Cavan Sullivan saw an effort blocked by Murray before Ojeda had a shot denied by Kai Wagner at the other end.
Iloski then had two opportunities to draw Philadelphia level in quick succession. For the first, he snuck in at the back post but sent his volley wide of Freese’s goal, much to his frustration. Three minutes later, another effort also failed to find the target.
On the half-hour mark, a delightful piece of skill from Luighi saw him nutmeg his opponent before attempting a shot that was well blocked by Wagner.
New York City almost added another in the 41st minute after a brilliant long throw from Freese sparked a rapid counterattack.
Traoré eventually found Luighi, who cut inside onto his right foot and forced a good low save from Andre Blake.
New York City finished the half as the stronger of the two sides, and a brilliant run down the left from Nico Cavallo culminated in a pullback for Ojeda. The winger got his shot away, but saw it deflected behind for a corner.
The resulting set piece proved fruitful for the hosts, who were awarded another penalty after Indiana Vassilev was adjudged to have handled Perea’s shot on the edge of the area.
Luighi grabbed the ball and, after a brief delay to confirm the decision, dispatched the penalty with aplomb to double New York City’s lead.
The second half mirrored the first with another early goal, only this time it was the visitors who found the net. After New York City failed to clear a Wagner free kick, Danley Jean Jacques reacted quickest to prod the ball past Freese from close range.
Jansen’s side almost found the perfect response in the 53rd minute when Ojeda’s cross looked destined to be turned home by Luighi. Nathan Harriel intervened at the last moment, however, denying the Brazilian a second goal.
From the resulting corner, James Sands went close with a powerful header that forced Blake into a brilliant fingertip save.
Jansen turned to his bench for the first time on the hour mark, introducing Kevin O’Toole and Máximo Carrizo in place of Jonny Shore and Keaton Parks.
Philadelphia were proving a threat on the break, and in the 63rd minute the ball fell to Cavan Sullivan just outside the box. The forward managed to get a shot away, but his effort did not trouble Freese.
A second double change for New York City followed in the 67th minute as Malachi Jones and Talles Magno replaced Luighi and Traoré.
Philadelphia continued to push for an equalizer, and it arrived just before the 70th minute. A quick break gave the visitors a numerical advantage, allowing Cavan Sullivan to square the ball for Bruno Damiani to finish.
The momentum had now swung in Philadelphia’s favor, and Quinn Sullivan, Cavan’s older brother, tried to complete the turnaround soon after, only to see his shot blocked by O’Toole.
The Union would find a third not long after following another quick counterattack. This time, Quinn Sullivan created the chance for Damiani to score his second of the night and put Philadelphia ahead.
Jansen responded by making another change, introducing Raúl Gustavo in place of Murray.
New York City pushed for an equalizer but found an organized Philadelphia defense standing in their way. At the other end, the visitors remained dangerous on the break, with Quinn Sullivan almost finding a shooting opportunity just before stoppage time before some good defending snuffed out the danger.
Iloski went close again in stoppage time before New York City won a dangerous free kick, allowing Freese to go forward in search of a dramatic equalizer. The goalkeeper managed to get his head to the delivery but was unable to keep his effort on target.
That proved to be the final chance of the night as New York City FC fell to a 3-2 defeat at Yankee Stadium.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a game against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, August 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM.
