NYCFC fall 2-0 to Minnesota United in MLS regular season return
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
In the first match since the Leagues Cup break ended, New York City FC dropped its first match back with a 1-0 defeat to Minnesota United at Citi Field. NYCFC outshot Minnesota United 19-12 on total shots, holding 62.7 percent of the possession and holding a 2.12 - 0.97 expected goals advantage.
“Unfortunately we can’t afford a performance like that, that is positive in every way apart from the result,” head coach Nick Cushing said. “It’s all about the result now.”
After trading two shots each in the opening ten minutes, New York City were awarded a free kick on the right side of the 18 yard box. Santi Rodriguez stepped up to take, and delivered a cross to the back post that just missed Monsef Bakrar.
Rodriguez got another chance in the 24th minute, collecting off a feed from Braian Cufre and firing a shot from 12 yards out that forced Dayne St. Clair into a diving save.
Bakrar got another shot in the 28th minute, but couldn’t hit the target after getting a dangerous cross from the right from Matias Pellegrini. Bakrar was the most involved player in the attack, finishing the first half with five of NYCFC’s nine shots.
Minnesota United suffered an injury setback in the 36th minute when Hlongwane went down and had to come off with an apparent knee injury. Midfielder Jan Gregus was subbed on to take his place.
Gregus would make his presence felt in the 53rd minute, when he took a shot from about 30 yards out that beat Luis Barraza after taking a deflection on the way in. Despite New York City eheaving the bulk of the opportunities to that point, it was Minnesota United that ultimately struck first.
In the 64th minute, it looked as if New York City FC had its equalizer, as Bakrar beat St. Clair after getting in behind the defense off a through ball – only to be denied by the offside flag.
Another golden chance would come in the 76th minute. After an initial shot in the area by Rodriguez was saved by St. Clair, the rebound fell to newly signed Julian Fernandez - and he missed the open net into the side netting.
New York City appeared to have a break in the 85th minute, with Fernandez appearing to draw a penalty off a fould from Miguel Tapias. After a brief VAR review, the penalty decision was overturned.
With NYCFC pushing for an equalizer, Minnesota United pushed ahead on the counter in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Former City player Ismael Tajouri-Shradi played a through ball for Mender Garcia, who beat Barraza to seal the three points for Minnesota.
Up next, New York City head to Ohio to face the Supporters’ Shield leading FC Cincinnati. NYCFC previously lost 1-0 at TQL Stadium in the US Open Cup Round of 32.
“We’ve just got to go to Cincinnati and give everything and throw everything at it,” Cushing said.