New York City FC II Goals:Â Mendoza 51'Â
Philadelphia Union II Goals: De Paula 80' Â
Quick ReadÂ
New York City FC II were forced to settle for a point after drawing 1-1 with Philadelphia Union 2 on Saturday night in Queens. An own goal from Isaiah Mendoza gave the hosts the lead early in the second half before Matheus De Paula headed home an equalizer 10 minutes from time to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.
Match Recap
New York City FC II were back in action on Saturday night as they hosted Philadelphia Union II in Queens.
The hosts were keen to bounce back from their defeat last time out, with Saturday's clash serving as the reverse fixture of the meeting between the two sides in mid-June.
Head Coach Matt Pilkington made several changes to the team that faced Atlanta United 2 last time out, with his squad boosted by the inclusion of Tomás Romero, Max Murray and Seymour Reid.
An even start to the contest saw few chances early on before Peter Molinari saw an effort blocked by Matheus De Paula in the ninth minute.
Philadelphia produced an effort of their own seven minutes later through Isaiah Mendoza, but he also saw his attempt denied by a block.
NYCFC II then began to ramp up the pressure through Kevin Pierre and Cooper Flax. Pierre saw an initial shot blocked in the 17th minute before forcing a save from Pierce Holbrook. Flax then tried his luck but also saw his effort blocked.
Reid was then handed a chance to break the deadlock after a well-timed run in behind. He beat Holbrook to the ball but failed to direct the bouncing ball on target from a tight angle, his effort looping over the crossbar.
Pierre then went close with a header in the 22nd minute before Philadelphia's Stas Korzeniowski forced Romero into a good save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
New York City FC II began to wrestle back control of the game and, in the 36th minute, Elhadji Samb managed to race in behind down the left before forcing a good save from Holbrook.
Flax had decided the game when the two teams met in June and almost broke the deadlock again after a clever through ball from Juan Ponce found him inside the area. His side-footed effort looked destined for the bottom corner, but Holbrook again produced an excellent save.
NYCFC II continued to build momentum as halftime approached, with Reid forcing Holbrook into another sharp stop down to his right.
Reid then turned provider for Ponce, laying the ball off to his teammate on the edge of the area. Unfortunately, his low effort flashed just wide of the post.
The half ended with a pair of chances for the visitors. Korzeniowski had a shot blocked by Molinari before Óscar BenÃtez Cobo flashed a header wide.
Philadelphia flew out of the traps at the start of the second half, but despite engineering several half chances, found themselves behind in the 51st minute.
The goal owed much to a lung-busting run from Adonis Campos that began inside his own half. The defender's attempted cross into the box was inadvertently turned into the Philadelphia net by Isaiah Mendoza.
Campos then went close to scoring a goal of his own after Reid found him with a well-weighted through ball. The defender tried to beat Holbrook from a tight angle but could not find a way through.
Pilkington's first change of the evening came just after the hour mark when he introduced James Bilden in place of Reid.
Philadelphia pushed for an equalizer, and Edward Davis went close with a header that forced Romero into a save. Malik Jakupovic then followed up but could not keep his effort on target.
The visitors would draw level in the 80th minute after a cross to the back post was headed home by Matheus De Paula.
Pilkington made further changes in the 84th minute, introducing Joseph Suchecki and Luka Sunjic in place of Elhadji Samb and Campos.
The closing stages became a more even affair, with both teams enjoying spells of possession but unable to carve out any clear-cut opportunities.
Philadelphia were then reduced to 10 men deep into stoppage time when Óscar BenÃtez Cobo was shown a second yellow card.
A feisty end ot the contest then saw the visitors reduced to 9 men after Giovanny Sequera collected two bookings.Â
Neither side could find a late breakthrough, and the contest ultimately finished in a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Queens.
That sent the contest to a penalty shootout to decide who would claim the bonus point. In the end, NYCFC II prevailed 8-7 in the shootout.
How We Lined Up
What's NextÂ
Next up for New York City FC II is a game against Orlando City B on Tuesday, August 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00PM ET.
