By Chris Tsakonas
NEW YORK – On a pivotal night for New York City FC’s playoff push, the Pigeons drew LAFC 1-1 at Citi Field. Leo Walta opened the scoring for LAFC in the first added minute of first half stoppage time, while Andres Perea equalized for the Pigeons in the 59th minute.
Here are three observations from tonight’s draw in Queens.
New York City fail to capitalize on first half possession
As has been the case so many times this season, New York City controlled the run of play throughout the first half. In the first 45 minutes, the Pigeons held 61 percent of the ball and regularly had sustained possession in the final third.
New York City failed to turn that into quality scoring opportunities, finishing the first half with only one total shot and 0.07 expected goals. This came on the heels of a scoreless match against Inter Miami on Wednesday night and a one-goal match against the Chicago Fire last weekend.
Walta breaks the deadlock
While LAFC similarly struggled to create chances in the first half, the decisive moment would come on a set piece in the first added minute. Leo Walta stepped up to take the kick from just over 30 yards out, and he found the back of the net as Matt Freese didn’t have time to react.
Walta’s free kick gave LAFC the lead against the run of play, and it put New York City in a 1-0 hole just before the break.
Pigeons’ attack pays off
New York City did a much better job of creating chances in the final third once the second half got underway. The Pigeons created three chances in the first 10 minutes of the half, including a give-and-go between Aiden O’Neill and Tayvon Gray that forced Hugo Lloris into an outstretched save.
In the 59th minute, the breakthrough finally came. Nico Fernandez Mercau took a corner kick from the right flag, and Perea rose to meet it and beat Hugo Lloris with a glancing header to level the match at 1-1.
New York City kept the tempo high throughout the second half, but the go-ahead goal ultimately never came. The Pigeons finished with 12 total shots for 0.63 expected goals in the final 45 minutes.
Next Up
New York City will head back on the road next weekend for a Saturday night matchup against Orlando City. The Lions currently sit in seventh place in the East on 41 points after beating DC United 4-1 earlier tonight. Live radio commentary with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence gets underway at 7:15 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio.
