NYCFC fall 1-0 to Atlas in Leagues Cup opener
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC fell to Atlas 1-0 in their Leagues Cup opener at Citi Field, with a 7th minute goal from Aldo Rocha.
The first opportunity of the match came for NYCFC in the 4th minute, when Talles Magno fired a shot from the edge of the six-yard box that was cleared off the line.
“I can’t fault his work rate, I can’t fault his reaction to not getting more involved against Philadelphia,” head coach Nick Cushing said.
On the other end, Atlas took the lead. A cross from Luis Reyes found Aldo Rocha inside the box, and he volleyed it in at the right post to give Atlas the lead.
New York City got a dangerous set piece opportunity in the 18th minute, when Keaton Parks drew a foul and a yellow card on Anderson Santamaria. Santi Rodriguez stepped up to take from 25 yards out, but he curled it over the bar.
Magno got another opportunity to score just before the halftime whistle. In the second minute of stoppage time, Magno got the ball inside the penalty area and got a clear look at goal - only to rattle the shot off the post.
New York City got another set piece just outside of the area in the 61st minute - but Braian Cufre curled it high and off frame.
Newly signed striker Monsef Bakrar entered the match in the 81st minute, as he was subbed on for Talles Magno. Less than two minutes later, Bakrar nearly found the back of the net when he got his foot on the end of a low cross at the edge of the six yard box - only to be blocked by Carlos Vargas.
“I think you see the qualities that [Bakrar] brings are the qualities our team needs,” Cushing said. “How direct he is, how he runs in behind.”
It looked as though NYCFC found the equalizer in the 87th minute, when a Rodriguez free kick was nodded down to Justin Haak who finished from the top of the box. After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was called back for offside.
“I think the VAR is crazy,” Cushing said about the decision. “I don’t understand the rules anymore.”
With the defeat, New York City now need a win over Toronto FC on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena to stay alive in the Leagues Cup. NYCFC need to finish in the top two in the group to advance to the Round of 32.