New York City Football Club II Goals: Myers 1', 31', 45' PK, Jiménez, 68, Shore 75'
Inter Miami CF II Goals:
Quick Read
New York City Football Club II recorded a resounding win on Thursday night at Belson Stadium. The Boys in Blue made the perfect start to the match inside 50 seconds after Matt Myers converted from close range. The forward would double his tally on the night in the 31st minute via another smart finish inside the area. Myers would claim a first-half hat-trick on the stroke of halftime from the penalty spot, handing NYCFC II a commanding lead heading into the second period. Jonathan Jiménez would add a fourth for Matt Pilkington's side in the 68th minute before Jonathan Shore put the gloss on the performance with his first goal as a senior professional.
Match Recap
The two sides met for the first time in the 2023 campaign with Inter Miami CF II sitting at the foot of the Eastern Conference.
Matthew Pilkington's side entered Thursday's game with a record of 8-2-10 compared to their opponent's return of 4-3-13. Pilkington knew a win could prove vital for his side in their attempt to close the gap between themselves and Chicago Fire II in the last playoff spot.
They engineered the perfect start in the pursuit of points by taking the lead inside the opening a minute. A dangerous freekick from the left was kept alive by Klevis Haxhari. The defender's pullback found Matt Myers in the box to convert from close range.
It was almost two in the sixth minute after John Denis found Haxhari in the box with a cross, but the defender's effort was ultimately well saved by Miami's goalkeeper.
Next, it was the turn of Máximo Carrizo to supply Myers with a chance on goal, but the striker was unable to put his effort on target.
In response, Miami fostered their first chance of the evening through Bryan Destin. The teenage forward was able to get a shot off inside the penalty area, but his attempt on goal was saved by Alex Rando.
NYCFC II were firmly in control of the contest, and that pressure finally told in the form of a second goal in the 31st minute. Once again, Myers was the man at the heart of the action as he found time and space in the area to punish the Miami defence - Piero Elias with the assist.
It was almost three in the 37th minute after John Denis engineered a chance to shoot from the edge of the box, but his attempt was well saved by Owen Finnerty in the Miami goal.
Pilkington's side were looking relentless, and they would eventually find the killer third goal on the stroke of halftime as Myers completed his hat-trick. The striker has been in lethal form this season and claimed his latest goal from the penalty spot after Tyler Hall conceded the spot kick and was dismissed for his troubles.
The second half brought a trio of changes for Miami, but none for the hosts, as NYCFC II marched on in pursuit of a fourth goal of the evening. Carrizo would be given the first chance of the half in the 51st minute, but he was unable to keep his effort on target.
Three minutes later it would be the turn of Myers - looking for his fourth of the contest - to test the Miami goal, only this time he could not keep his shot on target. The in-form forward would eventually depart the pitch just after the hour mark as Pilkington made his first change of the evening - Ronny Arévalo replacing the hat-trick hero.
The substitute would take only seven minutes to make an impact on proceedings and secure a fourth goal for NYCFC II. Arévalo pounced on a loose ball before driving forward and playing an inch-perfect pass in behind for Jiménez to run onto - the forward calmly slotting it past the goalkeeper from the right-hand side of the box.
Jack Beer would be the next man to depart the field in the 74th minute to be replaced by Jacob Arroyave. The youngster celebrated signing a professional contract with NYCFC II late last month, and would now get a chance to impact the game.
Arroyave would be joined on the field by fellow youngster Jonathan Shore minutes later after he replaced Denis. By no means was this Shore's first involvement with Pilkington's side, but it would prove a memorable night for the youngster as he etched his name onto the scoresheet in the 74th minute.
Pouncing on a blocked shot from Arroyave, Shore composed himself before rolling the ball with his right foot across the goal and into the bottom right-hand corner to put the seal on what had been a tremendous night for NYCFC II.
Keen to introduce more fresh legs to the contest, Pilkington made his final change of the night by substituting Drew Baiera in for Rio Hope-Gund in the 82nd minute. NYCFC II would go close to a sixth thanks to efforts from Haxhari and Jiménez in the final ten minutes, but in the end, they would finish the night with five goals.
A tremendous win for NYCFC II, it proved to be a memorable evening at Belson Stadium for Pilkington and his team as they ran out 5-0 winners.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for NYCFC II is a home game against Orlando City B at Bleson Stadium, Queens. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00PM ET on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
Watch live on AppleTV and follow our official @NYCFCII Twitter page for updates.
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