New York City Football Club Goals: Callens 7’, Rodríguez 20’, Talles Magno 64’, Thiago Andrade 83'
CF Montréal Goals: Brault-Guillard 52’
Quick Read
New York City Football Club were back in the Bronx for their Home Opener against CF Montréal on a chilly Saturday afternoon. The Boys in Blue established an early lead when Alex Callens volleyed home an effort in the 7th minute. That was added to by Santiago Rodríguez’s chipped effort in the 20th minute. Montréal responded early in the second half through Zachary Brault-Guillard before a Talles Magno header reestablished NYCFC’s two goal advantage in the 64thminute. The hosts managed a fourth through substitute Thiago Andrade in the 83rd minute to secure a memorable home win.
Match Recap
New York City Football Club welcomed CF Montréal to the Bronx on Saturday afternoon for their 2022 MLS Home Opener.
Head Coach Ronny Deila made one change to the side that beat Comunicaciones midweek in Concacaf Champions League as Keaton Parks replaced Maxime Chanot.
The Boys in Blue started the game the brighter of the two and that saw Taty Castellanos an early look at goal – his effort curling narrowly wide.
An opening goal would not by far away, however, and after a 7th-minute corner was cleared away the ball was played back into Talles Magno. His cushioned header allowed Alex Callens to run onto the ball and volley it past a helpless Sebastian Breza.
In response, a 14th-minute corner for Montréal was played short and after being whipped towards the back post found Joel Waterman unmarked, but he could not make contact with the ball.
Keen to add a second, NYCFC did just that in the 20th minute after Santiago Rodríguez pounced on a loose ball high up the field. Taking a second to set himself, the Uruguayan then produced a delightful chipped effort to beat a retreating Breza.
There was almost a third when a sweeping move freed Malte Amundsen to advance into space. After collecting a pass from Talles Magno the Dane unleashed a drive that crashed into the side netting.
As half-time approached there was one final chance for NYCFC after some good play in the corner eventually saw Rodríguez cross towards Talles Magno, but his header was tame.
The second period saw the visitors start positively and after hitting the post they managed to grab a goal in the 52nd minute when Djorde Mihailovic’s run ended with him squaring it to Zachary Brault-Guillard at the back post to tap in.
In the 62nd minute, Montréal thought they had restored parity when Romell Quioto ran in behind to finish – the striker denied by the offside flag.
The game’s next goal was not far away, however, and it would be the hosts that claimed it a minute later – a wonderful cross from Andres Jasson headed home by Talles Magno.
Deila would use that goal as the cue to introduce some fresh faces. Arriving on the field was Nicolás Acevedo and Thiago Andrade in place of Keaton Parks and Santiago Rodríguez.
The home side were now full of confidence and Taty Castellnaos epitomized that with an audacious rabona cross that could not find a teammate.
NYCFC continued to push for a fourth goal as they engineered several dangerous breakaways. Having pressed Montréal all game they again saw it pay dividends in the 83rd minute as Thiago Andrade stole in before driving towards goal and firing it into the bottom corner.
That would be the final involvement for Maxi Moralez and he departed for Héber in the 84th minute. He was followed by Alfredo Morales in the 86th minute as he swapped out for Gedion Zelalem.
That would prove to be the final notable act of the game and the final whistle confirmed an impressive 4-1 victory for NYCFC in their MLS Home Opener.
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a Concacaf Champions League second leg against Comunicaciones on Tuesday, March 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00PM EST (FS1/NYCFC.com/Radio).
