By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC will not advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals after falling 2-1 to Necaxa in the final match of the league phase. Keaton Parks scored the Pigeons’ only goal in the 37th minute, while Juan Valencia equalized and Juan Torres scored the winner in the 79th minute.
Here are three observations from tonight’s match.
New York City sets the tone in first half
After a quiet opening 15 minutes for both sides, New York City settled into the match and comfortably dictated the run of play.
The Pigeons regularly pushed into the final third and created quality scoring chances. In the 27th minute, the ball fell to Mitja Ilenic at the edge of the penalty area for a shot that was comfortably saved by Luis Jimenez. Five minutes later, Nico Fernandez Mercau whipped a cross into the middle to set up a header from Luighi that was off target.
In the 37th minute, New York City broke through. Fernandez Mercau delivered a corner kick to the edge of the six-yard box, and it deflected off Parks and into the back of the net for his first goal in 12 appearances.
Pigeons contain Necaxa
Throughout the first half, Necaxa repeatedly tried to build out of the back to build momentum in the final third. It usually didn’t get very far, as New York City did a good job of disrupting passes in the midfield and limiting scoring chances.
At the halftime interval, New York City outshot Necaxa by an 8-3 margin. The biggest chance New York City allowed was in the 43rd minute, when a shot from Lorenzo Faravelli was blcoked by James Sands.
VAR review flips match on its head
New York City maintained the upper hand until the 58th minute, when a pivotal call changed the match. Owen Gonzalez played a ball into the middle to set up an equalizer for Juan Valencia – only for the goal to be called back due to an offside in the buildup. After a review that took nearly five minutes, the call was overturned and Valencia was awarded the equalizer.
Valencia’s goal ended up being a significant turning point for Necaxa, who generated five more chances in the next 20 minutes as New York City suddenly went on the back foot. The match was put to bed in the 79th minute, when the ball fell to Torres in the middle for the match winner.
Next Up
New York City will now return to MLS action on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Union. The Pigeons beat the Union 2-1 in the first meeting back in March, with Tayvon Gray scoring the match winner in the ninth minute of second half stoppage time.
Live radio commentary with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence will get underway at 5:45 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio and the Apple TV Home Radio feature.
