New York City FC Goals: Castellanos 14’, Thiago 35’, Parks 51', Rodríguez 81'
Columbus Crew Goals: Santos 97' PK
Quick Read
New York City FC were hoping for a third straight win on Friday night as they faced off against Columbus Crew. NYCFC took a 14th minute lead when Taty Castellanos headed home a Jesús Medina corner. The lead was doubled in the 35th minute thanks to an audacious lobbed effort from Thiago Andrade. Further goals would follow from Keaton Parks and Santiago Rodríguez. The Crew secured a consolation goal deep into injury-time from the penalty spot through Pedro Santos.
Match Recap
New York City FC were back in action in the Bronx on Friday night as they took on Caleb Porter’s Columbus Crew.
The hosts had enjoyed back-to-back wins over CF Montréal and Orlando City SC, and were now hoping to make a third successive victory against the Crew.
Head Coach Ronny Deila opted to make three changes to the starting XI that overcome Orlando, introducing Keaton Parks, Gudi Thórarinsson, and Thiago Andrade in place of Alfredo Morales, Malte Amundsen, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi.
The game opened with a high-press from the visitors that forced NYCFC’s backline to be precise in possession.
Utilizing the distribution of Luis Barraza to further bypass the press, it opened up some good early opportunities for the Boys in Blue early on.
Despite that, the game’s opening goal would come via a set piece In the 14th minute. A pinpoint cross from Jesús Medina towards the back post found the head of Taty Castellanos and he powered a header home.
They almost added a second minutes later after a smart reverse ball by Thiago freed Maxi Moralez down the left.
His cross found an onrushing Medina, but the Paraguayan’s effort failed to find the target.
In response, Darlington Nagbe fired an effort from distance, but it whistled past Barraza’s left-hand post.
NYCFC were forced into a first-half substitution in the 33rd minute after Nicolás Acevedo pulled up with an injury.
The Boys in Blue enjoyed an electrifying start to the second period and found a third in the 51st minute.
It started with a long ball from Barraza that was flicked on by Castellanos into the path of Medina.
The 24-year-old saw his initial effort saved, but the rebound was quickly collected by Thiago, who settled on the ball before playing a cute pass through the legs of the defender and into the path of Parks to poke home.
Columbus were still posing a threat on the counter-attack, and in the 56th minute Luis Diaz got in down the left and fired a cross in that ended up at the back post with Lucas Zelarayán, but he dragged his effort wide.
The 64th minute would see a pair of changes for NYCFC as Santiago Rodríguez and Malte Amundsen entered in place of Thórarinsson and Thiago.
NYCFC scored a fourth in the 71st minute, and this time it was a first in MLS for Rodríguez – the Uruguayan converting from close range after Moralez pounced on a rebound to square him the ball.
In response, Columbus had a shot on goal in the 79th minute after a turnover on the halfway line saw the ball end up with Erik Hurtado – his effort ending up over the bar after a deflection.
Deila would once again turn to his bench in the 82nd minute to introduce Andres Jasson and Tony Rocha in place of Medina and Moralez.
The Crew thought they had a consolation goal late on, but Marlon Hairston’s headed effort was called back for offside.
Both Castellanos and Rocha had chances to make it five late-on but were denied by Room from close range.
Porter's side did manage to secure a consolation deep into injury time after Amundsen conceded a penalty. It was converted by Pedro Santos, and finished off the scoring on what was a brilliant evening in the Bronx for NYCFC - the hosts running out 4-1 winners.
Heineken Man of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with Chicago Fire on Wednesday, August 4, at Soldier Field with kickoff scheduled for 8:00PM ET (YES App/NYCFC.com/Radio).
