New York City Football Club Goals: S.Rodríguez 44', 50', Talles Magno 55'
FC Dallas. Goals: J. Martinez 77'
Quick Read
New York City Football Club celebrated Earth Day in the World's Borough as they hosted FC Dallas. A tight first half saw Gabriel Pereira denied a goal by a VAR check before Santiago Rodríguez broke the deadlock just before half-time - his low effort too hot for Maarten Paes. The Uruguayan managed to score a second five minutes into the second half before Talles Magno added a third in the 55th minute. Dallas were able to secure a consolation goal through José Martinez.
Match Recap
The two sides met for the first time since July 2022 when a single goal from Héber was enough to hand the Boys in Blue a valuable road win.
Head Coach Cushing made one change from the NYCFC side that overcame Nashville SC 2-1, as Gabe Segal dropped to the bench in place of Gabriel Pereira.
A fast start from NYCFC afforded Keaton Parks the first real chance of the game when he was found with a smart pullback, but he couldn't generate the power required to beat the goalkeeper.
The Boys in Blue thought they had the breakthrough in the 16th minute after a Gabriel Pereira dribble and shot made its way past the goalkeeper. The celebrations were cut short, however, following intervention from VAR, which ruled the play offside.
At the other end, Luis Barraza was called into action in the 23rd minute when pinball in the box saw the ball deflect toward the NYCFC goal. The shot-stopper made brilliant a point blank reaction stop to keep the scores level, much to the appreciation of his defensive colleagues.
The former Marquette Golden Eagle would be called into action again in the 38th minute to deny Dallas from distance and preserve his own clean sheet in the process.
As the half drew to a close it would be the Boys in Blue that took the lead. A turnover in the Dallas defensive third fell to Santiago Rodríguez, and after taking a touch he fired low past Maarten Paes.
The second half brought about no changes for the Boys in Blue, but there was an early goal, and once again it was Rodríguez on the end of things.
A flowing team move from back to front found Pereira out wide with space to run into. The Brazilian opted to go toward the byline before sliding a pass to the back post for Rodríguez to tap home.
Two quickly became three and NYCFC were now in full flow. Once again, Pereira was proving a nuisance down the right hand side and his dribbling allowed him the chance to shoot on goal.
This time Paes was able to save but ready to gobble up the rebound was Talles Magno. The Boys in Blue didn't show signs of slowing down and that afforded both Talles and Rodríguez several half chances.
The 65th minute saw the first of Nick Cushing's changes as Alfredo Morales replaced Richy Ledezma. The U.S. international was joined on the field by Andres Jasson and Matías Pellegrini in the 79th minute as they replaced Talles Magno and Gabriel Pereira.
Dallas would find a route back into the game in the 77th when José Martinez headed in a consolation goal. The visitors continued to push, but that would prove to be the final goal of the game and confirm a 3-1 win for NYCFC.
The Boys in Blue will now begin a string of road games beginning with a trip to Toronto FC next week.
Match Highlights
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
NYCFC are on the road next week as they take on Toronto FC on Saturday, April 29 in a 7:30pm ET kick-off.
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