New York City FC continues home success with 2-0 win over Columbus Crew
By Chris Tsakonas
Another home match, another win for New York City FC, as they defeated the Columbus Crew 2-0 tonight at Yankee Stadium off goals from Talles Magno and Taty Castellanos.
NYCFC created the bulk of the scoring chances in the win, outshooting the Crew 21-9 overall with a 6-0 advantage in shots on goal. New York City also controlled the possession battle, holding the ball for 53 percent of the match. This all translated to a 2.7-0.6 expected goal advantage.
“I think we attack at the right rhythm,” Deila said. “I’m very pleased we could take away a lot of points here at home - that’s important if we are going to finish as high as possible in the league.”
It didn’t take much time for NYCFC to get on the score sheet. In the 9th minute, Santi Rodriguez found Magno in the box, and he finished low and hard at the back post to get the early lead.
Columbus [Crew] were playing a high line so we were trying to attack their center backs in the first half,” Castellanos said. “Santi [Rodríguez] and I were trying to attack the spaces and get rid of their no. five at the back - that’s exactly how the first goal played out, they played a high line.”
Columbus nearly got an equalizer in the 34th minute, when a ball from Derrick Etienne found James Igbukeme, but he fired it well over the crossbar.
New York City kept up the pressure in the attacking third, and it nearly turned into a second goal in the 45th minute. Magno took a through ball into space on the left side of the 18, before squaring it back to Castellanos, who fired it right into the arms of Crew keeper Eloy Room.
The second goal came in the 57th minute. It came off a quick counterattack, with Maxi Moralez delivering a long ball over the top in the direction of Castellanos, who cleverly chipped the ball over Room to give New York City FC a 2-0 lead.
“I am very happy that [Moralez] is back on the pitch,” Castellanos said. “He is an important player for us, both on-and-off the pitch.”
Columbus nearly pulled one back in the 84th minute. The Crew were awarded a free kick on the left side of the 18 yard box, but Lucas Zelarayan curled it just wide of the near left post - with NYCFC keeper Sean Johnson covering the upper 90.
It’ll be a quick turnaround for New York City FC after the win, as the team has just three days to prepare for a Wednesday night road trip to play DC United at Audi Field.