New York City FC suffered a shock defeat on Wednesday night in the round of 32 of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The team surrendered a 95th minute goal to substitute Berto Ydrach, handing the Pittsburgh Riverhounds the win in front of their home fans at Highmark Stadium. The loss sends City home from the competition and continues to the team’s inconsistent streak of results.
NYC started a strong team that included starters Justin Haak, Johnny Shore, Andres Perea and Hannes Wolf. Around them were usual suspects Stahinja Tanasijevic, Birk Risa and Mounsef Bakrar to name a few. Despite this strong line up, head coach Pascal Jansen’s men couldn’t find many chances with their possession.
Riverhounds goalkeeper Eric Dick was impressive, stopping what chances did come his way while the team’s defensive shape held City at bay. The second half saw NYC push the game with more aggressive chances, forcing Dick into saves.
One of the game’s biggest moments came in the 78th minute when defender Tanasijevic brought down a Riverhounds forward and earning a straight red card. City still pushed on with Julian Fernandez coming into the game and missing an empty-net opportunity. The game seemed destined to go to extra time but instead the only goal came in the 95th minute when Beto Ydrach headed a cross into the net.
City was given next to no time to respond as the referee blew the whistle to end the game soon after the restart. The loss sends NYCFC home early from the competition and stifles any momentum the team managed to put together following two consecutive league wins. Now they turn their attention to CF Montreal who come to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, hoping to return to winnings ways in MLS.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Romero; Gray, Tanasijevic, Risa (46′ Fernandez), Cavallo (90′ Baiera), Haak, Shore, Wolf (81′ Murray), Perea (81′ Reid), Ojeda, Bakrar
Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Dick; Vacter, Suber, Osumanu (89′ Barnes), Broughton (89′ Bouregy), Walti, Griffin, Biasi, Mertz, Jacquesson (46′ Larsen)(77′ Ydrach), Garcia (77′ Sample)
SCORING SUMMARY:
90′ (Pittsburgh Riverhounds) Beto Ydrach assisted by Robbie Mertz
DISCIPLINE:
78′ (NYCFC) Strahinja Tanasijevic
photo by Jordan Bank