New York City fall 2-1 to Seattle Sounders on Decision Day

By Chris Tsakonas

NEW YORK - New York City FC ended the regular season with a 2-1 Decision Day loss to the Seattle Sounders tonight. All three goals came in the final 30 minutes, as Jordan Morris and Jackson Regan scored for the Sounders while Nico Fernandez Mercau scored the only goal for New York City.

Here are three observations from tonight’s match.

Quiet first half

For much of the first half, both sides struggled to create much of anything in the final third. While New York City and Seattle traded a pair of early shots inside the opening eight minutes, none of them seriously threatened to find the back of the net. The only shot on goal came in the 42nd minute, as a long-range effort from Justin Haak was saved by Stefan Frei.
In between, there was a 34-minute drought where neither side recorded a single shot. The most important moment of the first half ended up being an injury as Sounders star winger Pedro De La Vega went down with a serious right knee injury in the 19th minute. De La Vega came off for Paul Rothrock due to the injury, and his future status for the playoffs is unclear.

Set pieces cost New York City

In the 61st minute, Seattle broke the deadlock. Albert Rusnak delivered a cross off a free kick from the left side, and Jordan Morris rose to deliver a thumping header that found the back of the net.

Five minutes after New York City equalized, the Sounders earned a corner from the left side. Danny Leyva stepped up to take it, and the cross connected with Jackson Regan for the go-ahead goal.

New York City equalizes with young players

The only attacking breakthrough for New York City came in the 82nd minute. Maximo Carrizo started the buildup thirty yards out from goal by playing a through ball into the box for Julian Fernandez, who tapped it wide right to set up Fernandez Mercau for his third goal of the season.

The goal came on the end of a combination of three young players for New York City, as it was set up by the 17-year-old Carrizo and led to the 21-year-old Fernandez assisting the goal from the 20-year-old Fernandez Mercau. 

Next Up

New York City will kick off playoff action next weekend with Game 1 of the first-round series at Charlotte FC. The date and kickoff time will be announced by Major League Soccer after the rest of Decision Day.

Every playoff match will be broadcast live on the New York City FC Radio Network. Live commentary with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence will get underway 15 minutes before the listed kickoff time at newyorkcityfc.com/radio. Home match broadcasts will also be available with the Apple TV Home Radio feature.