FC Dallas Goals:
New York City Football Club Goals: Héber 29’
Quick Read
New York City Football Club were on their travels Wednesday as they took on FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium where a goal from Héber was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 win. NYCFC took a first-half lead when Santiago Rodríguez instigated a quick counter that fed Héber to convert from a few yards out. A tense and testing affair that was blanketed by chronic heat, there were few chances for either side to add goals..
Match Recap
New York City Football Club were aiming for success on the road Wednesday as they took on FC Dallas Wednesday night.
Interim Head Coach Nick Cushing made four changes to the XI that overcame New England Revolution as Héber, Thiago Andrade, Justin Haak, and Tayvon Gray entered for Malte Amundsen, Taty Castellanos, Alex Callens, and Maxi Moralez.
One of the consequences of those changes saw NYCFC line up in a back-three system, with Alfredo Morales joining the defensive line and attempting to aid buildup from the back.
It was a warm evening in Frisco, and that forced both teams to conserve energy and value possession.
During the early exchanges, NYCFC managed to fashion some quick transitions but were unable to turn those into clear chances.
In the 23rd minute, a quick combination down the left saw Talles Magno collect the ball at the top of the box. A quick exchange with Héber allowed Talles a shot, but his curled effort went wide.
With few chances on offer, it required a clinical touch and in the 29th minute, NYCFC showed that edge in the final third when they took the lead.
Arriving after Santiago Rodríguez pounced on a loose ball, his driving run down the right allowed him to square it across goal for Héber to tap home from a few yards out.
At the other end, a strong response from Dallas forced Thiago Martins to use all his experience to poke away a dangerous low cross.
As the first half came to a close Nicolás Acevedo fired a rasping low drive from distance that almost doubled the lead but for a deflection that took it behind to earn a corner.
The second period brought no changes but an early chance for Jesus Ferreira that required a last-ditch block from Justin Haak on his first MLS start.
Dallas thought they’d found the equalizer in the 51st minute when a poor giveaway allowed Ferreira to square it to Franco Jara, but Thiago Martins made an outstanding interception to clear.
Keen to respond, NYCFC went down the other end and Thiago Andrade fired a low cross with his left foot that almost found Héber for his second of the night.
The game had understandably slowed in pace as the heat took its toll on both players. Cushing introduced his first sub in the 66th minute as Thiago Andrade swapped out for Malte Amundsen.
Johnson had largely been utilized to claim deep crosses but in the 70th minute, a bullet header from Ferreira required a strong parry which Johnson provided.
In the 73rd minute, two further NYCFC changes arrived when Gabriel Pereira and Andres Jasson checked in for Acevedo and Héber.
NYCFC continued to defend doggedly as the home side sought a route back into the game. A rearguard effort saw every man give their all to limit FC Dallas' space in the final third.
A corner for FC Dallas in the 89th minute eventually fell to the feet of Jadir Obrian in the box but he could not keep his effort under the crossbar.
Seven minutes of injury time added further tension to the climax of the game and also saw the final change for NYCFC as Rodríguez left the game with cramp to be replaced by Gedion Zelalem.
A header for Nkosi Tafari would be the final chance of the game and c confirmed a fantastic victory for NYCFC on the road.
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City Football Club is a Hudson River Derby meeting with Red Bulls on Sunday, July 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00PM ET at Red Bull Arena (YES Network/NYCFC.com/Radio).
