Charlotte FC Goals: Enzo Copetti 8', 39', Ledezma (OG) 74'
New York City Football Club Goals: Gabriel Pereira 37', Santiago Rodríguez 57' (p)
Quick Read
New York City Football Club are still awaiting a first road win of 2023, having fallen to a 3-2 reverse at FC Charlotte. Though the Boys in Blue twice fought back from a goal down through a Gabriel Pereira strike and a Santiago Rodríguez penalty, Enzo Copetti's first-half brace and a Richy Ledezma own-goal secured all three points for the Crown at Bank of America Stadium.
Match Recap
In the first of a three-game week, Head Coach Nick Cushing made five changes to the side that traveled to Toronto FC last time out, as Braian Cufré, Alfredo Morales, Gabriel Pereira, Andres Jasson and Tayvon Gray were restored to the starting XI, in place of Maxime Chanot, Matías Pellegrini, Kevin O’Toole, Mitja Ilenič and Talles Magno.
The trip to North Carolina marked only the third meeting between the two sides, with Charlotte having emerged victorious from both fixtures in 2022. Unbeaten in their previous four at home, the Crown started brightly with Jan Sobocinski volleying over an early warning on six minutes.
Two minutes later, the hosts broke the deadlock through a well-worked move down the right. Ashley Westwood unlocked the City defense with a through-ball into McKinze Gaines’ path. The winger whipped a teasing delivery to the six-yard box, where Copetti slammed in the opener.
There was further frustration for the City Boys with Gray forced off through injury, and matters were almost made worse on 27’ as Justin Meram’s curler bounced wide off the post, before Karol Swiderski headed in from close range – the effort thankfully ruled out by the offside flag.
Cushing’s side rallied on the half-hour as Keaton Parks drew a smart stop from Kristijan Kahlina with a deflected drive, while Luis Barraza was equal to another Swiderski attempt at the other end.
Within a minute, the Boys in Blue were level. Building from the back, the visitors turned defense into attack in three passes, as Thiago Martins collected from Barraza, and found Ledezma in the center. The midfielder played a one-touch pass perfectly into Pereira’s path, and the Brazilian composed himself before coolly finishing into the nearpost for his third goal of the campaign.
The joy would prove short-lived however, as Charlotte restored their lead instantly via a set-piece, when Copetti nodded in Meram’s corner.
Cushing introduced Talles Magno at the break, and the Brazilian made a positive impact. Again, Charlotte dominated the early exchanges – with Adilson Malanda and Jaylin Lindsey trying their luck – before the City forward looked to spark a moment of magic, cutting inside and firing wide.
The 20-year-old would play a part in New York’s second equalizer however, receiving Rodríguez’s pass and finding Cufré in the box, who was upended by Malanda to win a penalty. Despite a lengthy delay due to injury, Rodríguez kept his cool to lash home the spot-kick, netting his third goal in as many games.
Parks then tested Kahlina from range with the Crown shot-stopper comfortably claiming the strike, but once again, Charlotte would regain their advantage through a set-piece, as Swiderski’s free-kick unfortunately clipped Ledezma and looped into the back of the net.
The midfielder almost made amends at the right end in response, diverting substitute Kevin O’Toole’s cross goalward – only for Kahlina to palm the effort away well.
As the Boys in Blue pressed for a third leveler of the night late on, Rodríguez skewed an acrobatic attempt wide and stung the palms of the home ‘keeper, while Ledezma also smashed goalward from distance, though ultimately to no avail.
How We Lined Up
Star of the Match
What's Next
New York City Football Club are on the road again in midweek, traveling to FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup on Wednesday, 10 May in a 7:00pm ET kick-off at TQL Stadium.
Sign-up for MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app - and never miss a moment of the 2023 season. Stream every regular-season, playoff, and Leagues Cup match. Every Screen. No Blackouts.
