New England Revolution Goals: Bell 12', Buck 33', McNamara 66'
New York City Football Club Goals:
Quick Read
New York City's frustrating run of form continued with a 3-0 loss at New England Revolution on Sunday. Goals from Jonathan Bell, Noel Buck, and former City man Tommy McNamara clinched victory for the home side at Gillette Stadium. Despite edging possession and creating a hatful of chances, the visitors were unable to beat an inspired Djordje Petrovic in the home goal and slipped to defeat.
Match Recap
Both sides headed into the game looking to halt disappointing runs.
Cushing made four changes to the side that faced D.C. United on Wednesday night, as Thiago Andrade, Maxi Moralez, Andres Jasson, and Vuk Latinovich were restored to the starting XI in place of Anton Tinnerholm, Malte Amundsen, Gabriel Pereira and Talles Magno.
NYCFC II graduate Samuel Owusu was handed his first senior minutes as a late substitute, while Long Island native Defender Stephen Turnbull also made the step up to the bench, having signed a Short-Term Contract on loan.
The Boys in Blue started the game brightly, dominating the early exchanges, but it was the home side who carved the game’s first chance, as Matthew Polster tried his luck from distance with a powerful drive, which flew just wide of Sean Johnson’s post.
The visitors’ first venture into the Revolution penalty area saw Santiago Rodríguez embark on a positive run before slipping the ball into Andres Jasson, whose cross-shot trickled off-target.
Thiago then stung the palms of Petrovic from distance but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Bell poked home after McNamara’s cross was not cleared.
New York responded superbly to the setback and perhaps should have netted an instant leveler when Rodríguez and Maxi Moralez both fired straight at Petrovic from close range.
Héber also skewed wide from Thiago’s cutback as City sliced through the home defense on the counter but found the end product lacking.
New England grew into the game and went in search of a second. They found it on 33 minutes. Johnson had done well to thwart a low Buck rive a few minutes prior but couldn’t prevent the 17-year-old from finding the back of the net from the same spot at the second attempt.
Gustavo Bou and Buck both had chances for a third before the break but New England would take a two-goal lead into the second period.
NYCFC came out fighting after the restart and almost halved the deficit - only for Petrovic to somehow thwart Haak from point-blank range.
The shot-stopper then palmed away Héber's half-volley, as the visitors continued to threaten, but the game was beyond reach when former Pigeons favorite McNamara slotted home DeJuan Jones' delivery six minutes after the hour-mark.
Desperate for a route back into the game, Cushing's side continued to press. Substitute Gabriel Pereira and Tayvon Gray both headed goalward and Talles Magno once again drew the best from Petrovic but despite the number of chances created, the Boys in Blue could not find the decisive touch to claw themselves back into contention.
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
It’s another three-game week for NYCFC, who welcome FC Cincinnati to Citi Field Stadium on Wednesday, September 7 in an 8:00PM ET kickoff. (ESPN+/YES app/NYCFC.com/Radio)
