New York City FC move back into playoff position with 3-0 win over Toronto FC
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC took the lead 89 seconds into the match and held it the rest of the way to beat Toronto FC 3-0 and move back into playoff position. Andres Perea had the game-winning goal for NYCFC, with Andres Jasson and Julian Fernandez also finding the back of the net. Santi Rodriguez assisted two of New York City’s three goals.
The opening goal came on a counterattack that started at midfield with an intercepted pass from Talles Magno. Rodriguez set up Perea, who finished for his first career MLS goal.
New York City nearly made it 2-0 in the 26th minute, when Magno set up Monsef Bakrar in the box. The shot was deflected, but a VAR review determined that it was handled by Jonathan Osorio. Bakrar stepped up to take the penalty for NYCFC - but it was stopped by backup goalkeeper Luka Gavran.
City doubled the lead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time - once again starting from a Magno turnover. Rodriguez had the ball on the left side, and sent in a low cross to the penalty spot for Jasson to finish on a turnaround shot.
New York City FC made one substitution out of the halftime break, as Julian Fernandez came on for Bakrar. The move would lead to City’s third goal, as Fernandez would finish off a nice run in space on the right flank with a shot inside the left post to make it 3-0. Magno was credited with the assist after starting the counterattacks on the first two goals with takeaways.
“Talles has found form, and today I thought he was excellent again,” Cushing said. “Although he didn't score a goal, he was involved in a lot of the offensive play.”
NYCFC fully controlled the run of play, with 53 percent of the possession, a 17 to 10 advantage in shots, and an eight to three advantage in shots on goal. New York City had 2.5 expected goals to Toronto FC’s 0.67.
With the win, New York City have jumped from 12th to ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, leapfrogging DC United, the New York Red Bulls, and the Chicago Fire to move into playoff position for the first time since May 17. New York City have three matches left to clinch a postseason berth, with the next match coming on the road against 14th-place Inter Miami on Saturday night.
“I think we've been really lucky over the last few weeks. The results have gone for us, and now we're in a position where we just have to get the job done and we have to make sure that we get enough points to keep us in this position.”