New York City FC Goals: Fernández Mercau 20', 35', Ojeda 53', Talles Magno 79'Â
FC Cincinnati Goals: Denky 32', 65', Chirila 90+1', Evander 90+5' PKÂ
Quick ReadÂ
New York City FC were held to a 4-4 draw by FC Cincinnati at Yankee Stadium. A Nicolás Fernández Mercau brace gave City a 2-1 lead at halftime before AgustÃn Ojeda extended it to 3-1 in the 53rd minute. Kévin Denkey pulled one back for Cincinnati with his second of the night, and although Talles Magno added a fourth, stoppage-time goals from Andrei Chirila and Evander earned Cincinnati a point on the road.
Match RecapÂ
New York City FC were in the Boogie Down Bronx on Wednesday night as they hosted FC Cincinnati.
The Boys in Blue were eager to return to winning ways in MLS as they looked to climb the Eastern Conference table.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen named an unchanged side from the team that faced Charlotte FC at the weekend.
Despite that intent, it was the visitors who registered the first shot of the game, with Pavel Bucha missing the target in the opening minutes.
The hosts responded quickly, however, as Nicolás Fernández Mercau saw an effort blocked by Kyle Smith.
That was soon followed by a Kevin O’Toole strike that forced a save from Roman Celentano.
Maxi Moralez then fired over before Hannes Wolf was handed a great chance to break the deadlock in the 13th minute, but the Austrian could not convert from close range.
A goal felt imminent, and it arrived in the 20th minute through who else but Fernández Mercau. The opportunity came after a speculative cross from Aiden O’Neill was spilled by Celentano, leaving Fernández Mercau to pounce on the loose ball.
Cincinnati struggled to generate chances in the final third, but that changed in the 32nd minute when Kévin Denkey drew them level. The Togo international found space in the area and volleyed home a cross from Evander.
The hosts responded perfectly, with Fernández Mercau grabbing his second of the night just three minutes later. It stemmed from excellent play by Maxi Moralez, who spun the ball around the corner for Fernández Mercau after he had sprung the offside trap. The forward drove toward goal and produced a composed finish.
AgustÃn Ojeda had a chance to make it three soon after, finding space in a dangerous area but failing to hit the target.
Cincinnati pushed to restore parity, and Evander came close with a powerful header, but Thiago Martins was well positioned to block.
New York City closed the half with several looks at goal through Kai Trewin, Moralez, and Wolf, but none could find the net.
New York City FC made no changes at the break and created an early chance to extend their lead when Fernández Mercau split the Cincinnati defense with a pass in behind for Ojeda. The winger’s low effort was well saved by Celentano.
Ojeda would not be denied minutes later, however, after being played through by O’Neill. He drove into the area and calmly slotted home a low finish to make it 3-1.
The visitors thought they had responded quickly when Evander whipped a brilliant strike past Matt Freese, but after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a foul in the buildup.
Cincinnati halved the deficit in the 65th minute through Denkey’s second goal of the game. A free kick into the area caused confusion inside the box, and Denkey was on hand to stroke the ball home.
Jansen made his first changes of the evening in the 72nd minute, introducing Keaton Parks and Talles Magno in place of Moralez and Wolf.
Those changes proved inspired minutes later when Talles Magno added a fourth for New York City FC. Found by a pass from O’Neill, the Brazilian forward curled a delightful effort from the left-hand side of the box that snuck just inside Celentano’s right post.
Keen to extend the advantage, Parks then went close after a well-timed run into the box was picked out by a pullback from Ojeda. Unfortunately, the midfielder’s low shot was gathered safely by Celentano.
Jansen opted for further changes in the 84th minute, introducing Arnau Farnós and Jonny Shore in place of Ojeda and Fernández Mercau. A final change saw Strahinja Tanasijević replace Tayvon Gray in the 88th minute.
Cincinnati refused to give up the fight, and after several half-chances, Andrei Chirila scored from distance early in stoppage time.
In a chaotic finale, Cincinnati were then awarded a penalty after Evander was fouled by Kevin O’Toole. The Brazilian calmly dispatched the spot kick into the bottom corner.
Despite both sides chasing a decisive goal in the short time that remained, neither could find it, meaning they settled for a point at the end of an enthraling 4-4 contest.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a game against CF Montréal on Saturday, April 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30PM ET.
