New York City Football Club Goals: Chanot 30', Bakrar 45', Rodríguez 45+2', 75' Jasson 56'
Toronto FC Goals:
Quick Read
New York City Football Club recorded an emphatic 5-0 Leagues Cup victory against Toronto FC. The Boys in Blue secured a first-half lead when Maxime Chanot headed home from a corner in the 30th minute. They would double that advantage in the 45th minute when Mounsef Bakrar pounced on a rebound to fire in a brilliant half-volley. Santiago Rodríguez would find a third before the halftime whistle was blown. The second period saw that momentum continue as Andres Jasson added a fourth goal in the 56th minute. NYCFC's control of the game continued and in the 75th minute, Santiago Rodríguez added a fifth.
Match Recap
The Boys in Blue welcomed the Reds from the North on Wednesday night as the next chapter of Leagues Cup was written.
Nick Cushing handed a first start to Mounsef Bakrar following his transfer to the club earlier this month, while Matt Freese replaced Luis Barraza in goal.
The forward didn’t take long to register his first effort of the game after Richy Ledezma found him in space in the fifth minute – but it was well saved by Sean Johnson.
Bakrar was heavily involved early on and in the ninth minute he set up Andres Jasson to shoot, but the youngster couldn’t keep his effort on target.
The visitors were keen to respond and Kobe Hernandez recorded their first attempt of the evening in the thirteenth minute.
That was quickly followed up with a header from Jordan Perruzza, but Freese did well to deny the youngster from close range.
With both sides seeking an opportunity to break the deadlock it would be the hosts that got their wish on the half-hour mark.
A well-taken corner from Santiago Rodríguez found Maxime Chanot unmarked in the penalty area and he powered a header past former teammate Sean Johnson in goal.
The quest for a second goal began in earnest and Braian Cufré came close from range – Johnson tipping his effort over.
NYCFC would find a second as half time approached and it was a goal for the new boy Bakrar. The striker pounced on a rebound with a well-taken half-volley that ended up in the roof of the net.
Two quickly became three after a turnover in the Toronto half allowed Rodríguez a run at goal. His effort took a deflection and looped over Johnson and into the net.
The start of the second period brought about no substitutions for NYCFC, but Toronto made several changes to their lineup as they looked to find a route back into the game.
TFC almost found that vital goal nine minutes into the second half when Raoul Petretta crashed a header against the crossbar after Brandon Servenia found him with a cross.
After surviving a scare at one end, NYCFC promptly found a fourth goal on the evening as Andres Jasson added his name to the scoresheet. The young forward found himself in space on the right hand side of the penalty area and fired low past Johnson.
In the wake of that goal, Cushing turned to his bench for the first time and introduced Justin Haak and Kevin O'Toole for Chanot and Cufré. Eight minutes later a second set of changes arrived as Bakrar and Ledezma departed the game to be replaced by Talles Magno and Matías Pellegrini.
Those changes helped City secure a fifth goal in the 75th minute. The move started with Pellegrini, who played Talles Magno in behind. The forward spotted Rodríguez in space and played him through on goal - the Uruguyan rounding the goalkeeper before slotting it home.
That would be Rodríguez's final contribution of the evening as he departed the game to be replaced by Mitja Ilenić. TFC were reduced to ten men in the 84th minute as Shane O'Neill collected a second bookable offense.
That would prove to be the final notable act of the game, and confirm an empathic 5-0 victory for the Boys in Blue against TFC.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Check back to nycfc.com to learn who NYCFC will face next in the Leagues Cup.
