New York City FC keep playoff chase alive with 3-1 win over FC Cincinnati
Courtesy: New York City FC
By Chris Tsakonas
NEW YORK - New York City FC will live to play another match after a 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati in the second match of the series at Citi Field tonight. The win moves the series to a winner-takes-all third match at TQL Stadium next Saturday.
New York City controls run of play in efficient first half
After controlling most of the possession in the opening 20 minutes, New York City broke through in the 22nd minute when Mitja Ilenic played it across to set up Martinez for the finish.
“[It was a] really important goal,” Cushing said after the match. “I thought his work rate was excellent. I thought his commitment in the sense of everything outside of just goal scoring was top.”
New York City doubled the lead in the 40th minute, when a free kick from Rodriguez ultimately set up Martins for a header that beat Roman Celentano.
Those goals capped off a dominant first half where New York City held a 9-4 edge in total shots and 63 percent of the possession. New York City turned that pressure into high-quality chances, with 2.2 expected goals in the first half alone.
Cincinnati responds with second half push
After a relatively uneventful start to the second half, Cincinnati pulled one back in the 65th minute. After a New York City turnover, Orellano dribbled to the top of the penalty area and fired a powerful shot to beat Matt Freese and make it a one-goal game.
Cincinnati continued to push for an equalizer in the final minutes, but New York City was able to weather the storm defensively. A pivotal moment came in the 80th minute, when Matt Freese made a diving stop on a close-range Teenage Hadebe shot off a corner.
“In football, you've got to absorb pressure. You've got to be able to bend but not break and you've got to be able to take the knocks - and when they score, get a foothold back in the game.”
Homegrown Justin Haak makes defensive impact
In the final 10 minutes, New York City had to defend the 2-1 lead a man down while Martins had to sit out two minutes with an injury. During that stretch New York City relied on Justin Haak, who got the start at center back over Birk Risa.
“[I started Haak] probably for the same reason that I did it in the Red Bull game. We're in Queens, right in front of our people. I said pregame, ‘we need all of our people,’” Cushing said about the decision to start Haak. “Justin Haak is a boy from Brooklyn - we put him on the field in the playoff game when it's do or die. He’s in his city, fighting for his people. I thought he was excellent tonight. I'm not a guy that normally makes decisions based on emotion, but maybe that was an emotional one tonight, because I know that guy will die for this city, for everybody at this football club - and tonight, I thought he was excellent.”
After that stretch, New York City sealed the win in the seventh minute of stoppage time on a panenka penalty kick from Santi Rodriguez.
Next Up
New York City will now have a full week of prep before heading back to Ohio for a winner-takes-all Game 3 in Cincinnati next Saturday. Live radio coverage of the match will begin at 3:45 p.m. with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence at newyorkcityfc.com/radio.