NYCFC walk out of Queens with 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati

By Chris Tsakonas

Despite controlling much of the ball and creating most of the opportunities, New York City FC weren’t able to walk away with all three points, settling for a 1-1 draw after conceding an own goal by Thiago Martins before answering with a Gabriel Pereira equalizer.

While New York City FC controlled the run of play for the entire first half, it was FC Cincinnati who struck first on an own goal. Thiago Martins sent a pass back intended for goalkeeper Sean Johnson, but a miscommunication ended with the ball rolling into the back of the net.

City looked to answer quickly, and Maxi Moralez nearly set up the equualizer in the 25th minute with a cross that found Talles Magno - but the header was stopped by Roman Celentano.

In the 42nd minute, NYCFC had their answer. Tayvon Gray collected the ball on the flank and sent a lofted cross into the penalty area - finding the head of Gabriel Pereira for his seventh goal of the season.

That goal sent both teams into the locker room with the score locked at at 1-1 - but that was about the only way the two teams were even at that point. NYCFC outshot Cincinnati 17-1 in the first 45 minutes, with an 8-0 advantage in shots on goal. They did all of this while holding 70 percent of the ball.

The offensive chances didn’t come as often in the second half, as New York City recorded only 5 shots after coming out of the locker room.

Heber came off of the bench in the 69th minute, and in the 72nd minute he came closest to putting NYCFC in front, hitting the crossbar with a powerful left footed shot off a counter attack.

New York City faced another challenge in the 76th minute, going down to 10 men after Martins was sent off for a late slide tackle on Sergio Santos at the edge of the box. Referee Ted Unkel initially ruled it a penalty, but a VAR check changed it to a free kick. Alvaro Barreal stepped up to take it, but Johnson dove to his right to make the stop.

The draw earns NYCFC their first point in four matches, ending a three match losing streak. They remaini at 4th in the East, just one point shy of the 3rd New York Red Bulls. They return to the field in three days with another road match, this time against Charlotte FC.