By Chris Tsakonas
New York City is now winless in four straight league matches after falling 2-1 to Charlotte FC at Citi Field tonight. Idan Toklamati and Kerwin Vargas both scored in the second half for Charlotte, with Nico Fernandez Mercau pulling one back for the Pigeons in stoppage time.
Here are three observations from tonight’s match.
New York City dominate run of play
From the opening whistle, New York City consistently dictated the pace of the match. While the Pigeons dominated the possession battle throughout the first half, Charlotte held them to only 2 shots in the opening 20 minutes with a compact shape in the final third.
As the first half continued, New York City ramped up the pressure in the final third – and the chances followed. The best chance of the half came in the 32nd minute, when a cross from Kevin O’Toole set up a header for Agustin Ojeda – only for the shot to graze off the post.
At the half, New York City held 63 percent of the ball, with an emphatic 10-0 edge in total shots.
Toklamati flips the script
The second half started by following the script of the first half, with New York City still holding most of the possession.
In the 54th minute, everything changedon a quick counter attack. Harry Toffolo threaded the needle with a through ball to set up a breakaway for Toklamati, who beat an oncoming Matt Freese to open the scoring for Charlotte FC.
It was Charlotte’s first shot on goal in the entire match, and it completely flipped the dynamic of the match.
New York City struggle to capitalize on late push
After Toklamati opened the scoring for Charlotte, New York City wasted no time going back on the attack to push for an equalizer. While the Pigeons created several chances, the consistent theme was an inability to consistently hit the target.
In the 69th minute, Maxi Moralez whipped a cross to the back post to set up a header from Raul Gustavo – but he couldn’t get it under the crossbar. Talles Magno had a similar headed chance in the 83rd minute, which he also fired over the bar.
With New York City still scoreless at the 90 minute mark, Vargas finished off another counter attack to make it 2-0. The Pigeons’ goal drought finally ended in the third minute of stoppage time, as Nico Fernandez Mercau pulled one back off a powerful shot into the top right corner.
Next Up
New York City has a quick turnaround, with a Wednesday night matchup against FC Cincinnati looming in the Bronx. Live radio commentary from Yankee Stadium will get underway at 7:15 p.m., with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence on the call at newyorkcityfc.com/radio or the Apple TV Home Radio feature.
