New York City FC drop points off late Dwyer equalizer in 2-2 draw against Atlanta United

By Chris Tsakonas

New York City FC took the lead twice over Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium. Both times, Atlanta found an equalizer, leaving New York City with only a point in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. Dom Dwyer got the equalizer in the 86th minute, while Taty Castellanos got the brace for NYCFC.

“Obviously we’re not happy with the late goals at Philadelphia and today,” interim head coach Nick Cushing. “Teams consistently push [you], the level is so consistent in this league.”

Castellanos nearly opened the scoring in the 34th minute for New York City, but his free header off a cross from Santi Rodriguez fired over the bar.

Three minutes later, the goal finally came when Talles Magno slipped through a ball to Castellanos that he put in the back of the net.

Atlanta United responded in the 56th minute, when Josef Martinez got on the end of a cross from Thiago Almada to level it 1-1. Two minutes later, NYCFC answered back as Magno cut it back at the byline to Castellanos, who finished to make it 2-1.

New York City had a bit of an injury scare in the 67th minute, when Anton Tinnerholm went down with what appeared to be a right leg issue and had to be replaced with Tayvon Gray. Despite the substitution, Cushing said at the postmatch presser that Tinnerholm doesn’t have any significant injury, but was feeling a little sore.

The second equalizer for Atlanta came off a defensive breakdown from New York City, as Alexander Callens slipped while marking Ronaldo Cisneros on the right side of the box. Cisneros took the ball to the byline and cut it back for Dwyer for the goal.

With the draw, New York City are now 0-1-3 under Cushing in all competitions. NYCFC have dropped points by conceding late goals for the second time in three matches, having lost the match at Philadelphia in a similar fashion off a Cory Burke winner in the 6th minute of stoppage time.

New York City return to the pitch next Saturday to host New England at Yankee Stadium, looking for their first win in four matches.