New York City FC returned to action after a week’s break without matches on Friday night. Considering that the rival was the current MLS Champion, it was bound to be a tough match.
Columbus Crew was looking to bounce back after a difficult defeat in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Pachuca a few weeks ago. It’s a tough result to recover from, but the motivation to turn the page was there for them even before the game began. The task for the boys in blue was simple: keep the momentum going and widen the gap between the rest of the teams in the conference.
Columbus stormed the Bronx to break the streak
A weather delay gave the game a gray tone before kickoff. While I suggested it was a “Delayed win,” it was a statement that aged poorly by the time the final whistle blew. Both teams had to do an extra warm-up routine because of the delay. Some said that this could have slowed the team’s momentum at the start of the match. I prefer to think that Columbus came out determined to showcase many of the reasons why they are one of the best teams in the league.
The visitors took the initiative from the start. The front three from Columbus had Matt Freese making saves left and right during the first 25 minutes of the match. The connection between Cucho Hernandez, Diego Rossi, and Mohamed Farsi was too much for New York City to handle. Matt Freese made key saves while showcasing why he deserves a spot in the all-star game in a few weeks.
New York City settled on the field by the 30th minute thanks to a good build-up play between Keaton Parks and Santiago Rodriguez. Unfortunately, his shot hit the crossbar and kept the score level. It was the chance that helped New York City gain its confidence back. But Columbus continued to attack through their long passes in multiple attempts to break through the defensive line.
The visitors finally managed to find the perfect pass in the 38th minute through Christian Ramirez. The center forward managed to make a run between the defendenders and managed to get defender Mitja Ilenic sent off due to a foul that stopped a scoring chance. For any team, it was a red card that resets their game plan, but in a strange turn of events, the red card pushed New York City forward. Santiago Rodriguez found the space to find Alonso Martinez and Agustin Ojeda in scoring positions.
Two key touches allowed the young Argentinian forward to place the ball in the back of the net. New York went into halftime down a man, but in return, they were ahead on the scoreboard.
If the first half was full of surprises, the remaining 45 minutes were not the exception. Columbus answered rather quickly and, in a matter of 5 minutes, scored 2 goals to come from behind and retake the lead. The equalizing play still confuses me, as I still can’t see how Christian Hernandez was onside in the last part of that play.
The second goal was a matter of tactical advantage. Ojeda could have had better games regarding physical duels, so Andres Perea took his place on the field. Columbus managed to take advantage of that unmarked left wing and Mohamed Farsi created a very fast counterattack that allowed them to go in front. New York City nearly pulled one back in the 56th minute but Hannes Wolf couldnt find the back of the net.
Hannes Wolf would Ironically cause the play for Columbus to score a third and final goal. It was yet another questionable call, but a penalty was given after VAR ruled that Wolf had fouled a Columbus midfielder inside the box. Cucho Fernandez missed the opportunity and scored from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. From that point on, New York City found the motivation to attempt a comeback.
Malachi Jones came from the bench and nearly scored, but it was as if the team got a surge of energy and was determined to equalize. Youngster Christian Mcfarlane also made his day view in the final stretch of the game. His skill and touch with the ball was impressive enough to demand more minutes from the youngster. Santiago Rodriguez nearly pulled off the comeback story after he scored in the 85th minute. Unfortunately, it was not enough for the team to equalize the game, but it sure was a match between two strong teams that left everything on the field.