By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC earned its first win of the season after defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 at Subaru Park. Hannes Wolf opened the scoring in the 36th minute, while Tayvon Gray netted the game-winner in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time.
New York City capitalizes after slow start
It was a quiet start for both sides, with no shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes. New York City held most of the possession during that stretch, but Philadelphia was the more dangerous side as the Union regularly pushed into the final third on the counter.
The first chance finally came for New York City in the 26th minute. Keaton Parks took the ball on a breakaway and sent it into the box to set up Agustin Ojeda – but Ojeda hit it off the post.
In the 36th minute, New York City finally capitalized on its momentum. It started on a counter, with a long ball down the left flank setting up a breakaway chance for Nico Fernandez Mercau. The initial effort from a sharp angle was saved, but the rebound spilled into the middle to set up a tap-in from Hannes Wolf.
“You could see all our first 15 to 20 minutes was a huge fight to make sure that you get comfortable in the game,” Jansen said after the match. “Once we got comfortable, that’s when you see you can also run them down, create a few good chances also, [a] good goal we scored.”
Union equalize after second half push
Although Philadelphia had seven shots in the first half, it took the Union 60 minutes to record its first shot on goal. The momentum shifted in Philadelphia’s direction in the final half hour as the Union pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer.
After several near-misses, Philadelphia caught a break in the 85th minute when Korzeinowski was fouled by Thiago Martins in the penalty area. Indiana Vassilev converted from the spot to level the match at 1-1.
Pigeons clinch three points with stoppage time goal
New York City still had some time to work with, as the fourth official added 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time.
In the ninth of those 10 minutes, New York City got into the final third with a well-worked buildup around the penalty area. Ojeda curled a cross to the back post, and Gray headed it past Blake from a sharp angle to win the match.
It was only Gray’s second career goal, and it clinched the match for New York City.
“I kind of surprised myself on [the goal],” Gray said after the match. “I saw Agu [Ojeda] and he kind of made eye contact for a second. Normally I’m passing to him, but today he passed to me, so definitely happy to get that goal.”
Next Up
New York City FC returns to the Bronx to kick off a four-match home stand, beginning with the home opener against Orlando City on Saturday. Live radio commentary will get underway at 2:15 p.m. at newyorkcityfc.com/radio and the Apple TV home radio feature.
