New York City FC II Goals: Sunjic 4', Lopez 19', Ponce 28', Carrizo 77', 90+3'
FC Cincinnati 2 Goals:
Quick Read
New York City FC II produced a dominant display at Icahn Stadium, securing an emphatic 5-0 victory over FC Cincinnati 2. Luka Sunjic, Jonathan Lopez and Juan Ponce gave NYCFC II a commanding first-half lead before Máximo Carrizo struck twice after the break to complete the scoring and cap a memorable team performance.
Match Recap
The historic Icahn Stadium was the backdrop for New York City FC II’s next home clash against FC Cincinnati 2 on Wednesday evening.
Matt Pilkington’s side were keen to bounce back from defeat in their last outing against Columbus Crew 2.
The hosts made a dream start to the contest when they took the lead after just four minutes through Luka Sunjic.
Following some brilliant coordinated pressing from Sunjic and Juan Ponce, the latter won the ball back before playing his teammate in on goal. Sunjic kept his composure to slide the ball past the goalkeeper for his second goal in as many games.
NYCFC II did not rest on its advantage, as Cooper Flax saw an effort blocked in the eighth minute before Máximo Carrizo had a follow-up saved by David Paz.
Both teams looked to catch their breath before Carrizo put an effort just wide in the 14th minute.
Pilkington’s side were keen to extend their advantage, and they managed to do just that in sensational style in the 19th minute.
Jonathan Lopez was the man accepting the plaudits after cutting inside onto his right foot and curling the ball past Paz from 25 yards out.
Cincinnati registered its first look at goal not long after, but Ademar Chávez could not hit the target.
The two teams then exchanged chances before Juan Ponce made it 3-0 in the 28th minute.
It was another special goal, with the 22-year-old adjusting brilliantly to a cross that was flicked away from goal before producing a stunning bicycle kick that left Paz with no chance.
Cincinnati continued to battle for a route back into the game, with Stefan Chirila trying to find a goal but failing to hit the target.
In the 35th minute, Máximo Carrizo forced a save from Paz as the hosts continued to push for further goals.
Cincinnati rallied toward the end of the half as Chávez saw two efforts blocked in the 41st minute. Yair Ramos also saw an effort blocked before firing over following a corner.
A frenzied stoppage time period saw Cincinnati pepper Mac Learned’s goal with shots. The shot-stopper first denied Deiver Mosquera before keeping out Ramos and Chirila prior to the half-time whistle.
The hosts threatened in the 58th minute when Luka Sunjic found space on the right side of the box, but his right-footed effort was blocked by Ayoub Lajhar.
Two minutes later, Cooper Flax had an effort from the center of the box blocked by Camden Sphire.
NYCFC II kept the pressure on, with El Hadji Samb seeing a shot from outside the box blocked by Charlie Holmes in the 61st minute.
Carrizo then went close in the 68th minute, sending a right-footed effort from the center of the box narrowly wide.
Pilkington made his first change in the 69th minute, introducing Drew Kerr in place of El Hadji Samb.
NYCFC II continued to push for a fourth and were rewarded in the 77th minute with Kerr the provider.
His cross found its way into the box where it landed with Carrizo. The playmaker showed tremendous composure to fire the ball home.
Carrizo finished with his left foot from the center of the box, with Kerr providing the assist and Lopez registering the second assist.
Cincinnati looked for a response and created an opportunity in the 80th minute, when Jack Mize tested Mac Learned.
Pilkington made two further changes in the 81st minute, with Jacob Arroyave replacing Sunjic and Niccolò Vafiades coming on for Camilo Ponce.
NYCFC II made its final substitution in the 90th minute, as David Duque replaced Flax.
Carrizo then put the finishing touch on a brilliant performance with his side's fifth of the game in stoppage time.
A driving run into the box looked to have fizzled out when a bit of fortune saw Carrizo regain the ball. He then drove toward goal and fired low past the goalkeeper from the tightest of angles.
That proved to be the perfect ending to the contest on a day when New York City FC II recorded an emphatic 5-0 win.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a game against New England Revolution II on Saturday, August 22.
