Frustration continues for NYCFC as they drop points yet again, this time surrendering a second-half penalty to DC United, ending the game 1-1 at Audi Field on Saturday night. A strong first half was ruined by a lackluster second half performance that continued the Jekyll-and-Hyde trend the team has had of late in the final third of the season.
Nick Cushing and his men dominated the first half, securing most of the possession and wrecking havoc on the right side of the field. Hannes Wolf, Maxi Moralez and Tayvon Gray found little resistance as they bombed into the attacking half. City found the opening goal in the 32nd minute when a foul in the box sent Santiago Rodriguez to the spot. The Uruguayan forward was poised when he sent the DC goalkeeper the wrong way before burying his chance.
City didn’t let up from there, forcing DC into a scrambled defensive shape. Fortunately for head coach Troy Lesesne, the visitors were unable to double the lead. Cushing and company looked poised continue their domination in the second half.
That didn’t happen as planned. DC forced the physicality, giving City little options other than to speed up their passing. As that happened, United were able to step in front of poor passing decisions and disrupt the strong possession game City had in the first half. A foul from James Sands helped DC find the equalizer as a VAR review from the referee awarded the chance. Golden boot leader Christian Benteke scored his 19th of the season from the spot, solidifying a split of the points.
City have now gone seven straight games without a win, garnering just five points over that stretch. While they still sit in a playoff position, different results could have seen them overtake rivals New York Red Bulls and put less pressure on the upcoming fixtures against Philadelphia and Miami. Instead, the team continues to look for defensive security as yet another opportunity to gain momentum disappears late in the season.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Gray, Martins, Risa, O’Toole (McFarlane), Sands, Parks, Wolf (Perea), Moralez (Ojeda), Rodriguez, Martinez (Bakrar)
DC United: Bono; Herrera, Bartlett, McVey, Pedro Santos, Enow (Murrell), Daiome (Ku-Dipietro), Rodriguez (Peltola), Pirani (Canouse), Benteke, Stroud (Badji)
SCORING SUMMARY:
32′ (NYCFC) Santiago Rodriguez (9) – PK
67′ (DC United) Christian Benteke (19) – PK
DISCIPLINE:
16′ (DC United) Christian Benteke – YELLOW CARD
41′ (NYCFC) James Sands – YELLOW CARD
55′ (DC United) Pedro Santos – YELLOW CARD
69′ (NYCFC) Maxi Moralez – YELLOW CARD
79′ (DC United) Dominique Badji – YELLOW CARD
82′ (NYCFC) Keaton Parks – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Bank