New York City FC had their momentum stalled by Chris Armas and the Colorado Rapisds who came away with a 2-0 win at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon. The wet conditions made the game difficult for both squads but the Rapids kept to their strategy of pressing and creating chaos for their two goals, depriving City of a place above rival New York Red Bulls.
Both teams came into the game with a set style of play and executed it rather well. The Rapids pressed the midfield and made it difficult for City to play with the ball at their feet. To City’s credit, they rebounded with decent wing play and created chances through crosses into the box and precise dribbling in the final third.
Still, it was the Rapids who found the back of the net first in the 16th minute. Cole Bassett found Colorado’s leading scorer Rafael Navarro for the opening goal. From there both teams took jabs back and forth as they jostled for positional dominance. Mounsef Bakrar continued his woes with a miss in the 21st minute and a header from Kevin O’Toole also nearly found the net but was saved by former US Men’s National team keeper Zack Steffan.
The second half saw more of the same but both teams went to their benches for a difference. City didn’t put on Talles Magno, who made his first bench appearances this season. Instead it was the usual cast of characters that have found the team wins thus far in 2024. Alonso Martinez and Julian Fernandez came on but were unable to sway the game. The final goal came in the 86th minute when Rapids substitute Calvin Harris found Bassett who slotted in the goal that solidified the lead.
The loss ends NYCFC’s three-game winning streak and kept them from climbing above New York Red Bulls for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. This puts extra pressure on City as they take to the road next week against Toronto FC. From there the fixtures get congested as it’ll be Philadelphia and then the Red Bulls in the next two weeks.
STARTING XI:
NYCFC: Freese; Ilenic (55′ Gray), Martins, Risa, O’Toole, Parks (55′ Perea), Sands Wolf (77′ Fernandez), Rodriguez, Ojeda (55′ Jones), Bakrar (65′ Martinez)
Colorado Rapids: Steffen; Rosenberry, Bombito, Maxso, Vines, Fernandez (69′ Harris), Larraz (69′ Loffelsend), Bassett, Cabral (87′ Diack), Yapi, Navarro (90′ Stuart-Baynes)
SCORING SUMMARY:
16′ (Colorado Rapids) Rafael Navarro assisted by Cole Bassett and Kevin Cabral
86′ (Colorado Rapids) Cole Bassett assisted by Calvin Harris
DISCIPLINE:
20′ (Colorado Rapids) Oliver Larraz – YELLOW CARD
37′ (NYCFC) James Sands – YELLOW CARD
photo from Jordan Banks