QUEENS, N.Y. – Santiago Rodriguez lifts NYCFC to a 2-0 win over DC United on Saturday at Citi Field with a goal and an assist in a dominating performance. City controlled most of the game, passing through the DC defense and creating chances.
New York City was impressive in the first half, creating chances on the wing through midfielder Hannes Wolf and pressuring DC into turnovers. The team also created high percentage chances early in the game with Rodriguez missing the net with a shot just minutes into the game. DC goalkeeper Alex Bono also had to make a save off of Wolf before the 15 minute mark. Much of the game progressed as it had in previous weeks with City not showing signs of converting opportunities.
That changed in the 20th minute when Wolf put a perfectly placed ball into the box for a clinical finish from Rodriguez. It was the Uruguayan’s fourth goal of the season and gave City some breathing room early in the game. DC found their way into the contest on a few occasions by playing crosses in to players like Christian Benteke. The Belgian striker nearly equalized the game before the halftime whistle but headed the ball wide.
It was much of the same in the second half with striker Mounsef Bakrar missing key chances to double the lead. Rodriguez also stepped up his aggression, going at the DC defense but couldn’t find the back of the net. That changed in the 90th minute when Rodriguez found Julian Fernandez for his second goal of the season, doubling the lead to secure the win.
City now goes four straight undefeated and rises to 10th place in the standings. Next up is a return to Yankee Stadium to play Charlotte FC with a chance to enter the playoff picture for the first time in 2024.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O’Toole, Parks, Sands, Ojeda (72′ Fernandez), Rodriguez, Wolf, Bakrar (77′ Mijatovic)
DC United: Bono; Mcvey, Bartlett, Akinmboni, Hopkins (66′ Rodriguez), Stroud, Pirani, Peltola, Santos (59′ Murrell), Dajome, Benteke
SCORING SUMMARY:
20′ (NYCFC) Santiago Rodriguez (4) assisted by Hannes Wolf
90′ (NYCFC) Julian Fernandez (2) assisted by Santiago Rodriguez
DISCIPLINE:
34′ (DC United) Matai Akinmboni – YELLOW CARD
50′ (DC United) Lucas Bartlett – YELLOW CARD
63′ (NYCFC) Mounsef Bakrar – YELLOW CARD