Inter Miami CF Goals: Robinson 81'
New York City Football Club Goals: Talles Magno 43', Fernández 47'
Quick Read
New York City Football Club recorded a 2-1 win over Inter Miami CF during the Noche D'or celebrations. NYCFC took a first-half lead through Talles Magno in the 43rd minute. They would double that advantage early into the second half thanks to a wonderful finish from Julián Fernández. The hosts were able to halve the deficit through Robbie Robinson in the 81st minute, but that proved to be the final goal of the game and saw NYCFC run out winners.
Match Recap
The Boys in Blue took their talents to South Beach for a Friday night clash with Inter Miami at DRV PNK Stadium.
The game was part of the Noche D'Or celebrations to commemorate Lionel Messi being awarded an eighth Ballon d'Or trophy late last month.
NYCFC started the quicker of the two sides and that resulted in an early chance inside four minutes.
First, it was Mounsef Bakrar who was denied by Drake Callender from a tight angle before teammate Talles Magno had his follow-up effort flash wide.
At the other end, the NYCFC defence was tested in the 20th minute when Messi wriggled free from several challenges before firing off a shot - Mitja Ilenič doing well to block the effort.
The forward would again find space in the 28th minute after exchanging passes with Diégo Gomez on the edge of the area. As he prepared to shoot he lost his footing and NYCFC were able to clear.
As the game ticked past the half-hour mark Santiago Rodríguez provided a driving run of his own that had the Miami defence backtracking. His eventual shot did not test the goalkeeper, however, and instead flew by the post.
The half finished with a bang for NYCFC as they took the lead. Some quick passing from back to front involving Andrés Perea and Rodríguez allowed the latter to find Kevin O'Toole wide on the left.
His pass inside found Talles Magno free in space and after squaring up his defender on the left-hand side of the box the Brazilian drove down the outside and fired it across the goalkeeper and into the net.
Nick Cushing opted to make one change at half time was he introduced Tayvon Gray for Ilenič
The Boys in Blue started the second period in much the same way as they had finished the first half and that saw them double their advantage in the 47th minute.
A flowing counter-attack saw Rodríguez drive forward before playing a pass inside to Talles Magno. The Brazilian's delightful outside of the foot pass found Julián Fernández in space where he produced a brilliant first-time finish into the top corner.
NYCFC were now firing on all cylinders and finding regular opportunities on the counter. Next up it was the turn of Talles Magno and Bakrar to combine, with the latter being given the chance to score - his effort landing on the wrong side of the post.
Cushing would introduce two further substitutes in the 61st minute as Bakrar and Keaton Parks departed in place of Justin Haak and Andres Jasson.
Jasson wasted no time involving himself in the contest after making a smart run off the ball that was found by Rodríguez - Callender forcing the shot behind for a corner.
Fernández was now central to NYCFC's attacking efforts and he was inches from connecting with Kevin O'Toole's low cross and securing himself a second goal of the evening.
In the 74th minute, Talles Magno departed the game to be replaced by Alonso Martinez.
Matt Freese had enjoyed a fairly quiet half, but in the 77th minute, he was called into action to deny Robbie Robinson with a strong tip over the bar.
The forward would earn a second opportunity four minutes later and this time he fired it low past Freese from a narrow angle.
A late surge from Rodríguez allowed him to play Martinez in behind but he was unable to find a route to goal and eventually conceded a freekick.
The final act of the contest saw Messi line up a freekick on the edge of the area, but his attempt ended up wide of the goal and confirmed a 2-1 win for the Boys in Blue on the road.
How We Lined Up
