Defensive woes hinder New York City FC in 3-2 loss to Columbus Crew SC
Courtesy: New York City FC
By Eddie Kalegi
Coming into their battle with Columbus Crew SC, New York City FC’s biggest questions loomed on the offensive side, still adjusting from the departure of Taty Castellanos. But on this night, it was City’s defense that had the most significant shortcomings, as City’s seven-game unbeaten streak came to a close with a hard fought 3-2 defeat at Lower.com Field.
After totaling just two shots against CF Montréal last weekend, NYCFC’s attack flipped the script, securing several early chances, and capitalizing on a Malte Amundsen strike that led to a Jonathan Mensah own goal just three minutes into the match.
City’s defense looked to be in peak form at the start of the contest, but everything changed in the 20th minute. A failed clear and subsequent through ball set up the always dangerous Cucho Hernandez with a point blank shot, as he drilled the equalizer past New York keeper Sean Johnson. The goal marked the end of New York’s four game, 393 minute clean sheet streak, their second longest of the 2022 season to date.
Moments later, the all-star and captain goalie’s night would go from bad to ugly, as an understruck and errant goal kick gave Columbus an immediate chance in the attacking third, as Lucas Zelarayán netted the go-ahead tally. Things would calm down after that, as the match entered halftime with Columbus on top 2-1.
Nick Cushing made some adjustments and substitutions prior to the start of the second half, and they certainly paid off offensively. After a couple of splendid Sean Johnson saves, City’s attack made headway and eventually scored their second fluky goal of the night. On this occasion, Santi Rodriguez found Gabriel Pereira, whose shot took a wicked deflection off defenseman Milos Degenek and trickled past Columbus keeper Eloy Room to even the game at 2-2.
After the equalizer, it was the Crew’s turn to show their offensive prowess. After Alexander Callens collided with Cucho Hernandez and exited with an apparent injury, a depleted New York City defensive unit failed to clear a direct kick, which ultimately recycled to Lucas Zelarayán for the go-ahead score to give Columbus a 3-2 advantage in the 75th minute, while Luis Dìaz collected his third assist of the night.
NYCFC repeatedly had promising attacks late in the game, and accrued seven minutes of stoppage time, but unlike Wednesday night, Columbus did not cough up a late-game one-goal lead. The Crew prevailed, ending City’s unbeaten streak, and preventing them from gaining ground on the Philadelphia Union atop the Eastern Conference table.
“You want to come out of Columbus with points,” New York City FC interim manager Nick Cushing said. “But this team has a heartbeat. They fought to the end. We know this is going to be a difficult stretch with a lot of road matches.”
On the bright side, City’s next opponent will be Inter Miami CF, a club they blanked just two weeks ago at Yankee Stadium.