NYCFC beats Inter Miami 1-0 in 2023 home opener
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC’s home opener became their first win of the season, defeating Inter Miami CF 1-0 on a cold Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.
Neither side had an early attacking rhythm, and there were no shots on goal through the first 12 minutes. Gabriel Pereira had the first shot on goal for NYCFC, with a low drive from the right side of the area that was saved by Drake Callender.
Pereira had an even better opportunity in the 17th minute, when he got on the end of a long ball from Keaton Parks, but it was redirected wide left off the first touch. It was one of several times in the match where Parks was able to get really involved in the final third.
“I think [Parks] has the ability to play in an advanced role,” head coach Nick Cushing said.
It looked as if Miami had taken the lead in the 20th minute, when Nicolas Sefanelli sprung Josef Martinez through on goal down the left flank. Martinez nutmegged Luis Barraza to put the ball in the back of the net - only for the offside flag to come up.
Three minutes later, it was New York City that was denied by the offside flag after Matias Pellegrini powered home a rebounded save.
NYCFC opened the scoring in the 36th minute, when Santi Rodgriguez delivered a ball off a free kick from the left side. It made it to the edge of the six and was put home by Christopher McVay for an own goal.
City looked to double their lead in the second half - and had a couple of good chances to do so, particularly from Cufre, who was denied by Callender with two saves in the second half.
“I was pleased with how aggressive we were to start the second half,” Cushing said.
NYCFC had yet another chance to double the lead came in the 89th minute, where Rodriguez got on the end of a Pellegrini through ball on the right side - and was denied yet again by Callender.
The home opener was played in front of 24,486 fans - the most at a NYCFC opener since 2018.
With the first win of the season now in the books, New York City FC will remain in the Bronx next Saturday when they take on DC United.