New York City FC fought back late to take a 3-2 win over Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium thanks to a stoppage time winner by Julian Fernandez. NYC had to claw their way back into the game twice, giving up the lead on two separate occasions but showing their perseverance to continue the team’s effort in bettering their playoff position.
Columbus pressured City early in the first half with Daniel Gazdag taking efforts on goal but finding little access to opening the scoreline. Before the 20th minute, NYC pushed their way back into the game with Nico Fernandez finding an effort and putting the Crew on notice. The game’s scoring opened in the 40th minute when Columbus was awarded a penalty. Gazdag stepped up to the spot and finished the chance to give his team the lead.
That lead didn’t make it to the halftime whistle as Wolf equalized in stoppage time with a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. City had the momentum heading into the second half but were unable to capitalize. Head coach Wilfred Nancy calmed his Crew team who re-established their control of the game. That was rewarded in the 60th minute when a cross from Max Arfsten found the head of Wessam Abou Ali for the go-ahead goal.
Once again, the lead didn’t last long as 13 minutes later Wolf equalized again. A cross into the box from substitute Agustin Ojeda found the foot of Wolf who scored again to solidify that City would keep their hopes alive in the game. Both teams pushed late but were unable to find the finishing touch to take all three points. That was until stoppage time when Ojeda found Julian Fernandez for a strong effort that won the game in the 93rd minute.
The win raises NYC’s point total to 50 points, pushing them ahead of Inter Miami into sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The team will have to turn around quickly and host Charlotte FC for a matinee game on Saturday with hopes of locking in their spot in the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs.
STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; Gray, Haak, Martins, O’Toole, Wolf, O’Neill (82′ Shore), Moralez (67′ J. Fernandez), Perea, Martinez (67′ Ojeda), N. Fernandez (82′ Reid)
Columbus Crew SC: Schulte; Herrera, Cheberko, Moreira (46′ Ruvalcaba), Amundsen, Picard (72′ Chambost), Nagbe (83′ Russell-Rowe), Habourne, Arfsten, Gazdag (83′ Sejdic), Abou Ali
SCORING SUMMARY:
40′ (Columbus Crew) Daniel Gazdag (3) – PK
45′ (New York City FC) Hannes Wolf (11) unassisted
60′ (Columbus Crew) Wessam Abou Ali (2) assisted by Max Arfsten and Taha Habourne
73′ (New York City FC) Hannes Wolf (12) assisted by Agustin Ojeda
90′ (New York City FC) Julian Fernandez (3) assisted by Agustin Ojeda
DISCIPLINE:
90′ (New York City FC) Julian Fernandez – YELLOW CARD
photo from NYCFC