NYCFC Goals: Medina 80', Tinnerholm 90'
Columbus Goals:
Quick Look...
New York City FC exacted a measure of revenge on the team that ended their 2017 MLS Playoffs campaign.
Jesus Medina and Anton Tinnerholm got the late goals on 80' and 90' to defeat Columbus Crew and make it nine points from nine in three home games this week, keeping the Boys in Blue undefeated at Yankee Stadium for 2018.
Match Recap...
Following hot on the heels of the three-goal second half explosion vs. Montreal on Wednesday, Torrent would have wanted his charges to pick up right where they left off in their third home game inside a week.
However, it was Columbus who were asking all of the early questions, forcing Sean Johnson into a double save and drawing great last ditch blocks from Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens in the first 10’.
Perhaps aided by a free midweek, The Crew continued to keep the pressure on, although City came close to taking the lead on 20’ when Callens met a Maxi Moralez corner and forced Zack Steffen into an excellent save.
That was as much as we saw from NYCFC as an attacking force in the first period, with Columbus enjoying more looks on goal, though they were unable to capitalize on the positions they found themselves in.
All in all, it was a half which was spookily similar to Wednesday’s first period with NYCFC below their best and unable to take control of the game.
Torrent’s alterations proved to be just the trick on that occasion but what would it take this time to unlock Gregg Berhalter’s stingy backline?
Moralez couldn’t have come much closer to providing an answer on 52’ when he pickpocketed the last defender and strode clear but Steffen once again came to his side’s rescue with a great parry and Jesus Medina was inches away from converting at the end of the same move.
One of the sparks from midweek, Jonathan Lewis, was introduced for Matarrita a minute later as Torrent gave the youngster his longest run-out yet under his stewardship.
The 20-year old had the Crew defense chasing his shadow on 71’ when he strode clear down the left flank and delivered for Medina who slipped through Moralez but this time it was Columbus who had the heroic last man block.
It was starting to look like this one would end with zeroes until the 80th minute when Lewis’s strike came off the post back to him and he crossed for Medina to thrash home, ending the stubborn Crew resistance.
Torrent’s men weren’t finished there, with Anton Tinnerholm bundling home the clincher in stoppage-time following a lung-busting run down the right flank.
His karate kick celebration at the corner flag sent the supporters' section wild and capped possibly the greatest week in club history.
NYCFC.com Star of the Match
Jesus Medina
The Paraguayan broke the deadlock once again to send the Boys in Blue to victory and was an energetic presence throughout, clearly buoyed by his golazo last time out.
When the time came for City to break through, the youngster was the coolest man in the building, taking down Lewis's cross and firing past the excellent Steffen.
Social Post of the Match…
Stats and Milestones
- NYCFC are still unbeaten at Yankee Stadium in 2018 (W10 D1)
- Jesus Medina scored his fourth goal for NYCFC
- Anton Tinnerholm netted his third goal of the season (third total for NYCFC)
- City have now kept three straight clean sheets for the first time since July 2016
- Domenec Torrent has now won all four of his home games as NYCFC boss (and on his birthday!)
How they lined up…
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Tinnerholm, Callens, Chanot, Sweat, Ring, Ofori, Matarrita (Lewis 55'), Moralez, Medina (Ibeagha 85'), Wallace (Awuah 65')
Subs: Stuver, Abdul-Salaam, Sands, McNamara
What’s Next…
The Boys in Blue take a little break from action, returning with back-to-back road games at Orlando and Seattle on July 26 and July 29. We're back in the BX on August 4 when the Vancouver Whitecaps come to town. Get your tickets at NYCFC.com/Tickets.
