NYCFC win second straight Hudson River Derby 2-0 over New York Red Bulls
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC completed the season sweep of their crosstown rivals the New York Red Bulls in a 2-0 win in front of a season high 30,151 supporters at Yankee Stadium. Alexander Callens and Santi Rodriguez scored in the win.
It took less than a minute for NYCFC to take the lead. Maxi Moralez delivered a cross off the first corner of the match - and the deflection from Rodriguez fell to Callens for the header at the back post. In a repeat of the start of the Campeones Cup victory on Wednesday night, City had the early lead off the Callens goal.
The Red Bulls created their first scoring chance in the 11th minute. After Sean Johnson punched away an initial service into the box, Luquinhas fired a shot from the edge of the area. It beat Johnson, but Callens came to the rescue with the goal line clearance.
New York City got their second goal off another corner in the 23rd minute. Moralez sent in another inswinger from the left flag, Gabriel Pereira redirected it towards Rodriguez to make it 2-0.
It looked as though the Red Bulls had their answer in the 37th minute. After a corner from John Tolkin was dealt with defensively, Aaron Long got off a shot that hit the right post, before Elias Manoel put home the rebound. Referee Alan Chapman waived it off after a VAR check found Long was offside on the initial shot.
The Red Bulls set up Manoel again in the 53rd minute, as he was sent through on goal with only Johnson to beat - and Johnson came up with the point blank save. The rebound came out to Caden Clark and the follow-up was well over the crossbar.
NYCFC once again controlled the possession battle, holding the ball for 55.5 percent of the match (63.4 percent in the first half). The Red Bulls actually outshot New York City 9-5, but lacked accuracy as only one of those shots were on target - with NYCFC getting 3 on target including the two goals.
The win sends New York City into the September window having won their last two matches in all competitions, and just one point shy of catching the Red Bulls for the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. With a 7 point gap over 5th place Orlando City, NYCFC are in prime position to potentially host their first playoff match.