NYCFC win their third straight game and climb up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference following a dramatic 2-1 win over Charlotte FC at Yankee Stadium. A stoppage time goal from substitute Alonso Martinez delivers the win for the club in a game where they chased the win as usual but were again able to pull out the win with late heroics.
The game didn’t start well for City, surrendering the game’s opening goal in the third minute. Nikola Petkovic placed a right-footed shot past Matt Freese to put the visitors ahead. From there it was deja vu all over again as City pushed with efforts from Santiago Rodriguez and Julian Fernandez but couldn’t find the equalizer. It wasn’t until just before halftime that Keaton Parks headed a cross from Fernandez past the Charlotte keeper that the crowd was able to get behind their team.
City continued to push in the second half with Rodriguez and Agustin Ojeda having their efforts miss the net. Both teams appeared to be playing each other towards a frustrating stalemate until stoppage time. Mounsef Bakrar, who continues to have scoring woes, found that his substitute was more effective. Martinez in stoppage time found the back of the net to send City fans hope happy and lifting the team out of the bottom half of the table.
The impressive win helps NYCFC establish themselves in the Eastern Conference, a week before a visit from Colorado. This homestand has produced a substantial amount of points for the club and extended their point streak to five consecutive games. At this rate, City will soon be back to where head coach Nick Cushing wants them to be and potentially contending for top of the Conference.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Ilenic, Martins (90′ Tanasijevic), Risa, O’Toole, Parks (82′ Perea), Sands, Fernandez (63′ Wolf), Santiago, Ojeda (71′ Jones), Bakrar (82′ Martinez)
Charlotte FC: Kahlina; Bynre, Malanda, Privett, Uronen (76′ Lindsey), Westwood, Petkovic (63′ Dejaegere), Urso, Vargas (84′ Diani), Copetti (64′ Agyemang), Abada (84′ Smalls)
SCORING SUMMARY:
3′ (Charlotte FC) Kerwin Vargas assisted by Nikola Petkovic
41′ (NYCFC) Keaton Parks assisted by Julian Fernandez
93′ (NYCFC) Alonso Martinez assisted by Kevin O’Toole
DISCIPLINE:
21′ (Charlotte FC) Junior Urso – YELLOW CARD
50′ (Charlotte FC) Kerwin Vargas – YELLOW CARD
53′ (Charlotte FC) Ahsley Westwood – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jodan Banks