NYCFC Crushed In Columbus Once Again

 

Alonso Martinez celebrating after his early goal. @newyorkcityfc.

Just two weeks after New York City Football Club were eliminated from the Leagues Cup by the Columbus Crew, they were defeated again, 4-2, in MLS play on Saturday night.

NYCFC has now gone winless in six MLS matches, with four draws and two losses. They are still in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference, with 39 points and a record of 11-6-10. NYCFC is just three points behind the Red Bulls (10-12-5, 42 points), but now 20 points behind Inter Miami for the top spot.

It took NYCFC just four minutes to get on the board when Alonso Martinez buried one from the center of the box. Tayvon Gray and James Sands had the asssists on the very early goal.

Columbus tied it shortly after, when Diego Rossi sent one to the right corner of the net, on a shot also from the top of the box, with assists by Christian Ramirez and Juan Hernandez.

NYCFC suffered a tough break late in the first half when they had to pull goalkeeper Matt Freese when he suffered a knee injury. Luis Barraza came on to replace him.

The score was still tied through halftime, and Columbus grabbed the lead somewhat early in the second half, in the 58th minute, on a goal from Maximilian Arfsten, who buried a shot from the left side of the box, with an assist from Rossi.

It remained that way until deep into the second half, when NYCFC tied it in the 86th minute on a shot from Mounsef Bakrar from the right side of the box, and that was just the start of a wild finish.

Columbus regained the lead in extra time, as DeJuan Jones drilled one from the left side of the box in the 93rd minute to make it 3-2, and then they put it away with a goal in the 100th minute from Jacen Russell-Rowe, assisted by Rossi, his third point of the game.

COACH'S COMMENTS: NCYFC Head Coach Nick Cushing addressed the media after the game: 

On how difficult it is to play at Lower.com Field: "It's very difficult playing here because it's probably an intense atmosphere and you're playing against the double winners [2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup.] One thing I can say about our team is that it's that difficult over the last two games [against the Crew] in carrying possession, and pressing the top team. We haven't got a win and that's the evolution of us. All we can ask as New York City fans and as people that follow this team is that we come here with a fight and a spirit and a mentality to take the game because we believe we can get where this team is. Over the two games, in Leagues Cup which we lost on penalties and this one, I'm proud of this team."

On how the team performed after the substitutions: "Ultimately, I think the team reacted well after losing the goalkeeper, Luis [Barraza] came in and did a top job. Justin Haak came in, and did a top job for James Sands, who was an important player for us. Then we wanted to push the game. We felt that we have the mentality and the quality to push the game. We went with Maxi Moralez, Mounsef [Bakrar], and Julian Fernandez. You see the chances we created. Mounsef gets the goal. We did enough to win it. You see the moment where the referee blocks off Julia and the guys don't see it on the broadcast, but you can see it here. I've never seen it before. It's a crazy moment and in my opinion, the whistle should [have been blown], and [the play] should stop. We're in the home of the [2023 Audi MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup] champions and that brings pressure."