New York City Football Club II Goals: Myers 43', 68'
Columbus Crew 2 Goals: Fuson 12', 18', Rayo 82'
Quick Read
New York City Football Club II suffered a narrow defeat on Sunday evening against Columbus Crew 2. A brace from Noah Fuson inside the first 16 minutes handed Crew 2 the advantage before Matt Myers produced a pair of his own to restore parity. In the 82nd minute, Gibran Rayo found the net to give the visitors the lead and ultimately all three points.
Match Recap
Head Coach Matt Pilkington was looking for his side to bounce back from a midweek defeat to New England Revolution II as they welcomed Columbus Crew 2 to Belson Stadium.
Pilkington made several changes to the side that faced the Revs, with a young looking NYCFC II taking to the field.
The visitors started the game on the front foot and that forced Alexander Yagudaev into three critical saves in the opening eight minutes of the match.
Crew 2 continued to cause problems, and they earned a penalty in the 10th minute after Noah Fuson was felled by Yagudaev in the penalty area.
The striker dusted himself down to convert from 12 yards and hand the Crew 2 an early lead in the 12th minute.
Fuson was proving a threat for the Crew, and he doubled his tally for the afternoon six minutes later. This time he intercepted an attempted back pass from Haxhari before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home.
NYCFC II would continue to push for a route back into the game with several good opportunities, and on the stroke of half-time they got their goal.
It came via a quick breakaway and a quick passing combination between Jonathan Jiménez and Ronny Arévalo on the edge of the area - Jiménez ultimately finding Matt Myers in the penalty area to convert from close range.
NYCFC II approached the start of the second period with an intensity as they sought to earn a route back into proceedings.
Pilkington would turn to his bench in the 63rd minute as he sought to introduce Tyler Morck in place of Maximo Carrizo, and it would be Morck that played an instrumental role in the equalizer.
The 18-year-old would win the ball back in the Crew 2 half in the 68th minute. After driving with the ball he played a cute pass to Myers for him to slam home.
Three minutes later Myers almost had his hat-trick after Jiménez found him with a through ball. The striker's right footed shot from the centre of the box was heading toward the bottom right corner before it was well saved.
Instead, the game's next goal would go to the Crew 2. Fuson would again be involved, but this time he was provider, squaring the ball to teammate Gibran Rayo at the top of the box for him to score.
The hosts continued to search for an equalizer, but they were unable to level the scores and that forced them to suffer a second defeat of the week.
Match Highlights
How We Lined Up
What's Next
New York City Football Club II are back in action on Sunday, June 25 as they take on Atlanta United 2. The Boys in Blue face the Five Stripes at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in a 7:30pm ET kick-off.
Watch live on AppleTV and follow our official @NYCFCII Twitter page for updates.
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