NYCFC return to winning ways with 2-1 victory over Nashville SC

Courtesy: NYCFC

By Chris Tsakonas

New York City FC earned a full three points for the first time in four matches after defeating Nashville SC 2-1 in front of 18,667 at Citi Field. 

The opening 30 minutes were largely controlled by New York City FC, and the scoreboard reflected it. The first good chance turned into the first goal in the 11th minute, when Keaton Parks finished a cross from Mitja Illinic to open the scoring. 

They doubled their advantage in the 25th minute off a corner kick, when  a service from Ledezma ultimately fell to Maxime Chanot, who finished it with a powerful close-range volley

“We knew we will have to disorganize the two central defenders and the two midfield players, and we would have to be our best offensively,” head coach Nick Cushing said after the match. “I thought we did that really well in the first half… we didn't allow them to control us by sitting 4-4-2 and controlling spaces.”

Nashville didn’t create too many clear-cut chances in the first half, but that changed as the second half wore on. It looked as if they had their first goal in the 77th minute, when Shaq Moore finished a cross from a tight angle. The goal was disallowed for offside, which was confirmed by a brief VAR review.

The Nashville goal would come shortly thereafter. In the 81st minute, Hany Mukhtar got a good look from the middle of the penalty area, and beat Luis Barraza to make it a 2-1 game.

“The only disappointment is that I think we should’ve scored three or four before we conceded,” Cushing said. “I think [at that point] the game should be dead.”

With the victory, New York City FC has earned their third win of the season, improving to 3-0-1 on the season in the five boroughs. They’ll remain in Queens next weekend, hosting Jesus Ferreira and FC Dallas at Citi Field next Saturday.