Youth movement leads New York City FC to 2-0 win over New England Revolution
By Chris Tsakonas
BRONX, N.Y - New York City FC snapped a three-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium tonight. Agustin Ojeda opened the scoring in the 57th minute, while Julian Fernandez put the match away with New York City’s second goal in the third minute of second half stoppage time.
Youth movement sparks attack
After New York City struggled offensively with just five goals in the first seven matches of the season, the second half saw an offensive outburst that led to two goals and even more chances being created. Two young players made the difference for New York City, as the 19-year-old Ojeda put New York City in front with his first MLS goal before the 20-year-old Fernandez put the match away late.
Ojeda’s first goal for New York City came on a night where he made his first start since signing with the club.
“I felt [Ojeda] was ready tonight,” head coach Nick Cushing said after the match. “We were missing goals. We were not creating, we want to be better - so sometimes you just got to get the pack of cards, throw it up in the air and see if you can catch the ace of spades.”
Matt Freese with key saves
New York City goalkeeper Matt Freese continued his strong run of form tonight with five saves to keep his first clean sheet of the season. Freese made three saves in the span of eight minutes in the first half, with early stops on Tomas Chancalay in the 26th minute, Carles Gil in the 28th minute and Giacomo Vrioni in the 34th minute.
Freese made two more big saves to preserve the New York City lead in the final minutes. In the 79th minute, Freese quickly adjusted to make a wrong-footed save on a 20-yard shot from Ryan Spaulding. Freese followed up on that save with a point-blank stop in the 90th minute on a Chancalay header from five yards out.
It’s the fourth straight match that Freese has made five saves in, as he has had a 0.75 goals against average during that stretch.
Improved chance creation
After getting a total of 23 shots with 2.6 expected goals in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Atlanta United in Queens, New York City followed up by generating consistent opportunities against New England tonight. Despite starting the match with just three shots in the first 25 minutes of the match, New York City was able to find a rhythm as the match progressed to create 18 total shots, nine shots on goal and 2.7 expected goals.
“[We have] a young team, a new team, guys with huge potential. We just got to keep progressing and keep working and keep sticking to the plan and keep staying together,” Cushing said. “I can see the progress and I think we will continue - I know I will continue to push the guys. I can guarantee you that.”
Next Match
New York City remains at home next Saturday with a match against DC United at Citi Field in Queens. DC United will come into that match off of a 3-2 loss to Orlando City that was decided by a stoppage-time winner from Duncan McGuire. Live radio coverage will get underway at 7:15 P.M. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio, the New York City FC app and the Home Radio feature on MLS Season Pass.