New York City FC survive to beat FC Cincinnati 3-2
Courtesy: New York City FC
By Chris Tsakonas
HARRISON, N.J. - New York City FC hung on in a back-and-forth match to earn a 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena tonight. With the win, New York City have extended their unbeaten streak to three matches, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference standings with two matches remaining.
Here are three takeaways from tonight’s match.
Ilenic and Martinez continue strong attacking form for New York City
After scoring five goals in last Saturday’s 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls, New York City scored multiple goals off of a high volume of scoring chances again. The opening goal came in the 16th minute, when Mitja Ilenic scored his first career MLS goal with a long-range strike from outside the right side of the penalty area.
New York City doubled the lead in the 65th minute, when Santi Rodriguez delivered a through ball to set up Alonso Martinez in the penalty area. Martinez beat Roman Celentano to make it a 2-0 match for his third goal in the last two matches.
Defense weathers late Cincinnati storm
After going up 2-0 with 25 minutes remaining in the match, Cincinnati responded with a late surge. The late rally began in the 66th minute, when Thiago Martins was called for a penalty on a handball in the box. Lucho Acosta scored on the ensuing penalty in the 69th minute to make it a 2-1 match.
While New York City answered with a penalty kick goal on the other end from Santi Rodriguez in the 75th minute, Cincinnati got another lifeline in the fifth minute of stoppage time when a cross fell to Corey Baird for a goal. Despite playing a total of 15 minutes of stoppage time, New York City held on to secure the 3-2 win.
“[Cincinnati] can score in many ways. I think you know the game is always going to ebb and flow in that sense,” head coach Nick Cushing said after the match. “You have to be clinical in your moments, which I thought we were tonight, and you have to defend strong. We’ll look at the two goals. We’re disappointed to concede two at home, but it is what it is. We’ll work through that.”
Home field advantage in striking distance
New York City already clinched a playoff spot with Saturday’s win in the Hudson River Derby, so the focus now shifts to the race for a top four spot and home-field advantage in the first round.
After tonight’s results, New York City remain at fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points - two points behind Orlando City in the race for fourth place. With two matches remaining in the regular season, the opportunity is still there for New York City to finish in the top four.
“Momentum is everything going into the playoffs,” Cushing said. “Ending the season strong, ending the season with a good feeling, having something to hold onto to build a group in the playoffs was basically what goes to MLS Cups and go into conference titles.”
Next Up
New York City FC will remain at Red Bull Arena for the final home match of the regular season on Sunday, when they will host Nashville SC. Nashville will enter Sunday’s match looking to bounce back from tonight’s 4-3 defeat at the hands of DC United.
Live radio commentary gets underway at 3:45 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio and the Apple TV home radio feature.