NYCFC Goals: Guillén (OG) 25', Medina 45', Parks 52' & 75'
North Carolina FC Goals:
Quick Summary
NYCFC reached the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 for the first time ever after a 4-0 win over North Carolina FC in Queens.
An own goal, plus a strike from Jesus Medina and a Keaton Parks brace secured safe passage to the next round.
Match Recap
New York City FC headed to Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John's University for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup to take on North Carolina FC.
The US Open Cup, a single-elimination tournament, provided an opportunity for the younger members of the team to shine through and show the coach what they have to offer.
For the matchup, Dome Torrent looked upon Justin Haak, Keaton Parks, Juan Pablo Torres, and Daniel Bedoya to start for the club. A big night for the young Boys in Blue as Torres and Bedoya made their debuts in City blue, while Parks and Haak earned their first starts.
Brad Stuver was back in net for the club and, veteran, Maxi Moralez was serving as captain for the night.
NYCFC kicked off the night early in the 4’ minute with Bedoya crossing the ball to Valentín Castellanos to make a play, but Castellanos was caught offside.
On the other side of the ball North Carolina FC created a chance on goal in the 15’ minute, luckily for City the shot was too wide.
The first goal of the night came in the 25’ minute, as the Boys in Blue pushed the ball forward in back-to-back attempts from Castellanos and Medina, but weren’t able to put the ball in the net. Thanks to a deflection off an NCFC’s Aaron Guillén, NYCFC was on the board 1-0.
The next shot from Castellanos came in the 32’ minute which went straight into the arms of NCFC keeper, Alex Tambakis.
Right before the halftime whistle, Tony Rocha played the ball into the feet of Jesus Medina who finished calmly for his first goal of the season.
NYCFC retired to the locker room up 2-0 at halftime.
The young duo, Torres and Parks went to work in the 52’ minute as Torres crossed the ball to Parks who headed it into the back of the net for his first goal in City blue. First start and first goal in the same game, what a night!
Parks wasn’t done there…. His second goal for NYCFC came in the 75’ minute. On a play where Castellanos broke through the NCFC defense and played the ball across the pitch to Moralez who found Parks to add onto the lead, putting NYCFC up 4-0.
Stuver came up big for NYCFC time and time again in the match, he maintained a clean sheet on a save in added time to seal the shut out win.
NYCFC advanced to the fifth round of the US Open Cup for the first time, in a big night for the young players who put their skills and talent on display, #ForTheCity!
How We Lined Up
What's Next
NYCFC advances to the fifth round of the US Open Cup. The draw will be made on Thursday morning at 10am ET - stay tuned to NYCFC.com to find out our opponent and venue.
