Red Bulls Goals: Royer 67mins
NYCFC Goals:
A Quick Look...
A combination of the Red Bull Arena metalwork and Danny Royer brought an end to New York City FC’s US Open Cup campaign on Wednesday night.
Tommy McNamara and David Villa both hit the inside of the posts in the first half before Danny Royer’s 67th minute goal which was enough to win the day for the home side.
What Happened...
There was more than just local pride at stake when NYCFC and Red Bulls locked horns for a seventh time.
Chasing a place in the fifth round for the first time in club history, Patrick Vieira named a strong XI which included US Open Cup debutants, David Villa, Maxi Moralez and Alex Ring.
Following a competitive but scrappy first 15’, NYCFC were left wondering how they didn’t take the lead when McNamara was slipped through on goal by Villa.
The New Yorker could see the whites of Ryan Meara's eyes and did everything right as he fired powerfully towards goal but, incredibly, the ball struck the underside of the crossbar twice and somehow rebounded out rather than crossing the line.
Against a physical home side, NYCFC struggled to get into their normal passing groove for much of the first period as a high-pressing home team shut down the lanes, resulting in a frenetic spectacle characterized by regular turnovers.
However, Vieira’s men were left to curse their luck anew on 37’ when the post came to Red Bulls’ rescue once again - this time it was Villa who saw his shot come back off the inside of the metalwork and into Meara’s grateful arms.
Bradley Wright-Phillips finally brought Sean Johnson into the game in the dying minutes of the first period, drawing an excellent fingertip stop at the near post but the teams were, somehow, deadlocked at the interval.
Maxi Moralez was withdrawn at the break due to a knock sustained just before the half and was replaced by John Stertzer but it was Sacha Kljestan who went closest to opening the scoring in the early knockings of half no.2, firing a free-kick narrowly over.
Villa forced Meara into another save after a typically excellent recovery from Ring on 64’ but three minutes later, the hosts drew first blood through Royer.
Capitalizing on an errant pass out of defense, Wright-Phillips streaked clear and forced a great save from Johnson but Royer was there to clean up the rebound, volleying into the vacated net.
Jonathan Lewis was sent on to try and rescue matters immediately after the goal and the youngster nearly drew his team level on 83’ when he cut inside and fired towards goal but there was Meara to make yet another save.
That was as close as NYCFC came to the equalizer, meaning the boys in blue went down to another disappointing defeat in Harrison.
Key Moment...
Luck of the Irish? Not so much for McNamara in the 15th minute of this one.
The crossbar, which was rattled not once but twice by Tommy’s strike, may very well still be shaking now.
With no goalline technology or VAR in play, replays were inconclusive in determining whether a goal should have been awarded but, looking back now, it would have been a very different game if it had.
Man of the Match...
Alex Ring
On a disappointing night in New Jersey, Alex Ring never gave up, winning the ball back for NYCFC on numerous occasions and going in where it hurt for his team all night long.
The Finland international has been one of the players of the season so far for his new team and he will be eager to set the record straight when he returns to Red Bull Arena with NYCFC in ten days.
Social Post of the Game...
Stats and Milestones...
- David Villa, Tommy McNamara, Maxi Moralez, Alex Ring, Ben Sweat, Sean Johnson, Alexander Callens all make their US Open Cup debuts for NYCFC.
- NYCFC wait for a first US Open Cup win goes on
- Jonathan Lewis came on for his third NYCFC appearance
- NYCFC travel to Red Bull Arena once again in ten days for the first MLS meeting between the teams
How They Lined Up...
NYCFC XI: Johnson, White, Brillant, Callens, Sweat, Ring, Lopez, Moralez, Harrison, McNamara, Villa (C)
NYCFC Subs: Johansen, Rawls, Gomez, Allen, Stertzer, Lewis, Okoli
*
Head Coach Patrick Vieira named a strong XI, making just two changes from the side which started the 2-1 MLS win over Philadelphia Union before the international break.
Maxime Chanot missed out through the hamstring injury picked up on Luxembourg duty and was replaced by Frederic Brillant, while Miguel Camargo came out for Mikey Lopez as the only other alteration.
Captain David Villa made his US Open Cup debut in front of Maxi Moralez, Jack Harrison and Tommy McNamara.
What's Next...
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