By Chris Tsakonas
New York City dropped a second straight league match after falling 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium tonight. Luighi scored the only goal for the Pigeons, with Kenji Mbomba Dem and Evander scoring for FC Cincinnati.
Here are three observations from tonight’s match.
Slow start cost the Pigeons
From the opening whistle, the Pigeons found themselves on the back foot and struggled to create any danger in the final third. New York City allowed three quality chances from Cincinnati in the first 10 minutes, and Matt Freese saved all three of them to keep the match scoreless.
In the 11th minute, FC Cincinnati broke through. After a New York City giveaway at midfield, Kevin Denkey got on the end of a long ball into the box. Denkey laid it off to Mbomba Dem on the left, who beat Freese to open the scoring for FC Cincinnati.
Luighi does it again
New York City didn’t respond immediately, failing to record a single shot in the first 20 minutes of the match.
In the 21st minute, the Pigeons answered on the counter. Nico Fernandez Mercau played a ball down the right flank to find Agustin Ojeda on the right flank. Ojeda cut it back across the six-yard box to find Luighi, who hit it on a half-volley to beat Roman Celentano and get New York City back into the match.
It was the second goal in the last two matches for Luighi, who joined the Pigeons on loan from Palmeiras on July 28.
“Luighi showed class today. Even if you look at the goal that he scored today – that is pure class,” head coach Pascal Jansen said after the match. “It’s good rhythm of play, and his timing and movement to be available to have the finishing touch is very impressive for such a young striker, so we’re very happy that he’s part of our project.”
Late push falls short as Evander steals it at the death
The match particularly opened up in the final 20 minutes of normal time as both sides pushed for the go-ahead goal. New York City started to get the upper hand after the 80th minute, generating four straight shots in a five-minute span. Celentano made three saves during that stretch to keep the match level.
In the first minute of added time, FC Cincinnati scored against the run of play. After Cincinnati quickly took the ball into the attacking third on a counter, Gerardo Valenzuela played it back to the top of the box. Evander got on the end of it and beat Freese from long range to clinch the three points with just seconds remaining.
“In this moment, I think we’re a bit naive going up front in the press, and we’re not mature enough in the final third defensively in making sure that this shot is not on target,” Jansen said.
Next Up
It’s another quick turnaround for New York City, who will head up to Foxborough, Mass. to take on the New England Revolution on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence will have the call from Gillette Stadium at 4:15 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio
