New York City Football Club Goals: Talles Magno 9’, Castellanos 58'
Columbus Crew Goals:
Quick Read
New York City Football Club were back in the Boogie Down Bronx on Saturday night for the visit of Columbus Crew. The Boys in Blue took no time at all to mark the scoresheet thanks to a 9th-minute strike from Talles Magno. The lead was doubled just before the hour mark thanks to a well-taken finish by Taty Castellanos. Despite creating a number of great chances the game would finish 2-0 to NYCFC and hand the team a huge three points at home.
Match Recap
New York City Football Club were aiming for six unbeaten on Saturday night as they entertained Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium.
Head Coach Ronny Deila rang the changes following the team’s midweek U.S. Open Cup win against Rochester New York FC, and swapped out nine of the XI that ran out 3-1 winners.
Among those changes was a place for Nicolás Acevedo as he came in for the injured Tayvon Gray at right fullback. Adapting to the role well, his eagerness to get forward was a major asset for the team during the first half.
The hosts started the stronger of the two teams and that pressure saw them take an early lead in the 9thminute.
A loose ball just inside the box found its way to Santiago Rodríguez and he played a short pass to Talles Magno
The Brazilian used a smart body feint to wriggle free from his marker and after earning a yard of space he fired off a low shot past Eloy Room.
Keen to build on that early advantage with a second goal and in the 19th minute some delightful interplay on the edge of the box allowed Keaton Parks a change to shoot, but his effort was blocked.
At the other end, Columbus were finding dangerous opportunities via set plays and quick breakaways.
A driving run from Pedro Santos in the 26th minute was eventually halted by a fantastic recovery run by Maxi Moralez.
In the 35th minute, NYCFC managed a breakaway of their own with Taty Castellanos carrying the ball some 30 yards before laying it off to Talles Magno. His smothered effort earning NYCFC a corner.
On the stroke of halftime, the pair combined once again with the Brazilian this time turning provider. His square pass found Castellanos just inside the penalty area, but his effort was straight at Room.
The second period saw no changes for either team but a chance for Castellanos inside the first five minutes - the striker rising highest to meet a Chris Gloster cross. Unfortunately, his headed effort could not stay under the crossbar.
Castellanos would be afforded an almost identical scenario two minutes later and this time he was able to force Room into a fingertip save to keep the score 1-0.
It was a case of third time lucky for Castellanos in the 58th minute after Moralez sprang him in behind with a lofted pass from deep. After settling the ball the striker expertly lifted it over Room and into the back of the net.
In the 63rd minute, Ronny Deila made his first changes of the evening as he introduced Alfredo Morales and Thiago Andrade for Gabriel Pereira and Santiago Rodríguez.
It was barely two minutes later when NYCFC came close to adding a third from a set-piece. Thiago Martins was the man that almost headed it in, only for Columbus to scramble the ball away.
NYCFC's threat from setpieces seemed ever-increasing, and they almost made it pay with two dangerous corners in the space of a few minutes. The first saw Moralez and Morales combine with the latter hitting the crossbar.
That was followed by another dangerous set-piece from the veteran playmaker that saw Talles Magno's header cleared off the line by Darlington Nagbe. That would prove to be the final act of Moralez's night, and he was replaced by Andres Jasson in the 80th minute.
That would prove to be the last great chance of the evening and confirmed a 2-0 victory for NYCFC over Columbus Crew.
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City Football Club is an MLS clash against D.C. United on Wednesday, May 18. Kickoff at Audi Field is scheduled for 7:30PM EST (YES App/NYCFC.com/Radio).
