Red Bulls Goals:
New York City Football Club Goals: Castellanos 69’
Quick Read
New York City Football Club had a Hudson River Derby on Sunday against Red Bulls knowing it wasn't just points at stake, with NYCFC emerging winners thanks to a brilliant volley from Taty Castellanos. A tense affair saw a goalless first half before NYCFC took the lead in the second period after a delightful pass from Santiago Rodríguez found Castellanos to score. NYCFC managed several more looks at goal but in the end Castellanos' strike was enough.
Match Recap
New York City Football Club crossed the Hudson river to try and take three points and bragging rights on Sunday afternoon against Red Bulls.
Interim Head Coach Nick Cushing made four changes to the starting XI that overcame FC Dallas midweek.
Those changes saw Malte Amundsen, Alex Callens, Maxi Moralez, and Taty Castellanos return in place of Thiago Andrade, Maxime Chanot, Justin Haak, and Héber.
Unsurprisingly, the game began at a quick pace and that saw the hosts earn several early corners.
When NYCFC were able to get into the final third some neat interplay involving Talles Magno and Santiago Rodríguez allowed the Uruguayan to fire a shot down the throat of Carlos Coronel.
A shot from distance by Cristian Casseras Jr. in the 19th minute had venom but was well-parried by Sean Johnson.
Both sides were engaging in a tense game of cat and mouse, attempting to grab the inch required to carve out clear chances – in the 29th minute Talles Magno flashed a shot wide from distance.
In the 39th minute, a smart ball into the channel from Moralez connected with Castellanos. After skipping by Dylan Nealis he fired a shot low into the side netting.
As the half drew to a close an overhit cross found Tayvon Gray in space. His pass to Rodríguez allowed him to fire at goal, but it was comfortable for the goalkeeper.
The second period brought with it no changes but an early chance for Castellanos inside the first five minutes – his volleyed effort from near the edge of the box bouncing into the ground and over.
In the 58th minute, a turnover from Red Bulls in their penalty area fell to Rodríguez 16 yards out, but his effort went narrowly wide.
Castellanos was beginning to find more opportunities in the final third and a high looping cross was met by the forward’s head in the 63rd minute.
His next effort proved to be the definition of spectacular after a loose ball popped up into the air and Castellanos connected with a bicycle kick that forced Coronel into a sprawling save.
In the 69th minute, Castellanos would finally break the deadlock after an angled pass by Rodríguez found him in space and he poked a volley past Coronel.
The Boys in Blue were now keen to build on the momentum provided by the goal and that saw them establish a greater rhythm with possession.
In the 78th minute, Cushing turned to his bench for the first time to introduce Justin Haak and Thiago Andrade for Acevedo and Talles Magno.
A shift in the Red Bulls system saw them utilize a two-forward system heading into the final ten minutes of the game. At the other end, a loose ball allowed Thiago Andrade a shot but it was well blocked.
NYCFC almost doubled their lead in the 88th minute when Maxi Moralez's freekick was tipped onto the bar by Coronel - following up was Callens, but his headed rebound was frantically cleared off the line.
In the wake of the chance, Cushing made another substitution as he introduced Héber in place of Castellanos. Barely seconds later Rodríguez found Moralez free in the six-yard box but his header was straight at the goalkeeper.
The physical toll of the week was now apparent on several of the NYCFC players, and that saw the visitors make another change as Maxime Chanot entered into the game for Rodríguez.
In the dying seconds, Haak attempted an audacious effort from distance with the goalkeeper out of his area but it was cleared off theline. Héber collected the loose ball, but failed to convert.
That would prove to be the final act of proceedings and confirmed a memorable Hudson River Derby success for NYCFC.
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City Football Club is a meeting with Inter Miami on Saturday, July 23. Kickoff at Yankee Stadium is set for 7:00PM ET (YES App/NYCFC.com/Radio).
