New York City FC advance to first-ever Champions League semifinal after surviving late Comunicaciones rally

Courtesy: NYCFC

By Chris Tsakonas

After leading on aggregate by as many as three goals in the second half, New York City FC survived a late rally to secure a CONCACAF Champions League semifinal spot for the first time in club history with a 5-5 aggregate victory on away goals.

“We had the game in our hands,” NYCFC manager Ronny Deila said. “But we looked very tired at the end, and every time they put the ball in the box they looked dangerous.”

Comunicaciones had several early opportunities, nearly finding the net in the 10th minute. Larin played a cross from the left wing into the box for Samayoa, but the header was powered over the bar.

The best opportunity of the half came in the 29th minute. Off a corner kick, Alexander Larin sent an inswinger to the edge of the six, where Jose Corena’s attempt was covered up by Johnson.

NYCFC got their goal shortly thereafter. In the 31st minute, Taty Castellanos ripped a 30 yard free kick inside the right post, putting New York City in control of the game with a 4-1 aggregate lead.

Another chance came for Comunicaciones in the 41st minute. Off a free kick from the right side, Larin filtered in a cross that slightly overhit the head of Lopez and went out of play.

The goal finally came for the home side in the 44th minute. Loscano stole the ball from Thiago Martins and beat Sean Johnson one on one by finishing one into the 

The woodwork denied Comunicaciones in the second half, as Larin fired a shot from the top of the 18 that hit the right post and ricocheted back into play.

New York City got their second road goal in the 52nd minute. After a corner kick was cleared out of the box, Castellanos took the ball in the top right corner of the 18 and delivered a cross into the box. Talles Magno got on the end of it with his head, scoring for the second time in four days to get NYCFC up 5-2 on aggregate.

Comunicaciones wasn’t done yet, and they found the back of the net again in the 68th minute. Off a free kick from the right wing, Lopez sent in a cross that found the head of Arangono, but Johnson came up with the save. The rebound came out to Samayoa, who finished easily to make it 5-3.

Things got even tighter in the 72nd minute, as Lynner Garcia found the end of a cross from Larin for an easy tap-in that made it a 5-4 NYCFC aggregate lead with 17 minutes to play in the tie.

Comunicaciones needed just two more goals to advance - and in the 88th minute, they got one. Jose Contreras got on the end of a ball outside of the box, and corked a 35 yard shot that nested itself inside the bottom right corner of the goal.

“It was tough. We knew that playing there wasn’t going to be easy,” Maxim Chanot said. “I think we had good control until the 60th minute, but then we lost the ball too easily.”

Despite several more attempts on goal, Comunicaciones couldn’t find the needed go-ahead goal, and NYCFC advanced. They now await a semifinal leg against the winner of the Seattle Sounders - Club Leon quarterfinal tie, which the Sounders lead 3-0 after one leg.