New York City FC bounce back after a loss last week to topple Toronto FC 3-2 in BMO Field on Saturday night. The win starts off a key stretch of games this coming week that will see them play rivals Philadelphia and Red Bulls before the end of next week. Goals from youngsters Andres Perea and Malachi Jones were the deciders, while the defense left some of Toronto’s more potent goal-scorers wanting more.
City played their usual game in the first half, controlling possession and creating chances. Jones had an effort saved by ex-NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson but minutes later the pressure finally broke Toronto. A cross into the box hit the hand of a defender and needed to be reviewed before being rewarded with the penalty. Rodriguez stepped up to score the opening salvo, setting them up for more later in the half.
Jones, who worked hard through the first half, found his second career goal from a shot in the center of the box. Newcomer Hannes Wolf provided the assist, adding to his tally in the league and proving that he has been an important part of the goal-creation machine for the club.
Toronto did attempt a comeback in the second half, pushing City back and scoring a rebound goal in the 55th minute. Federico Bernadeschi scored the effort, giving Toronto some life. However, head coach Nick Cushing’s substitutes rewarded him by restoring the two-goal cushion in the 78th minute. Perea found the back of the net right in front of goal from a pass from Wolf.
Toronto didn’t stop fighting and found a second goal in the 89th minute from Raoul Petretta. It wasn’t enough as City held on for the win and pushes themselves up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Next is a quick turnaround for NYCFC as they travel to Philadelphia to play the Union on Wednesday night.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Gray, Risa, Martins, O’Toole, Sands, Perea, Wolf (89′ Tanasijevic), Rodriguez (90′ Jasson), Jones (69′ Ojeda), Martinez (69′ Parks)
Toronto FC: Johnson; Rosted (67′ Petretta), Long (79′ Thompson), Gomis, Bernadeschi, Longstaff, Flores (76′ Coello), Spicer, Etienne Jr. (76′ Insigne), Osorio, Owusu
SCORING SUMMARY:
23′ (NYCFC) Santiago Rodriguez (6) – PK
44′ (NYCFC) Malachi Jones (1) assisted by Hannes Wolf (3)
55′ (Toronto FC) Federico Bernadeschi (4)
78′ (NYCFC) Andres Perea (1) assisted by Hannes Wolf (4) and Agustin Ojeda (2)
89′ (Toronto FC) Raoul Petretta (2) assisted by Matty Longstaff (3)
DISCIPLINE:
22′ (Toronto FC) Federico Bernadeschi – YELLOW CARD
29′ (NYCFC) Alonso Martinez – YELLOW CARD
36′ (Toronto FC) Sigurd Rosted – YELLOW CARD
50′ (NYCFC) Malachi Jones – YELLOW CARD
53′ (Toronto FC) Kevin Long – YELLOW CARD
90′ (NYCFC) Andres Perea – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Banks