Dome Torrent made three changes to the NYCFC starting XI which kicked the 2-0 road win at Montreal last weekend.
In came Ronald Matarrita, Tony Rocha and James Sands as the Boys in Blue looked to string together three consecutive away victories after winning in D.C. and Montreal.
With confidence flowing, NYC started strong in their three-back system, with Alex Ring, Maxi Moralez and Anton Tinnerholm especially influential through a dominant opening 15'.
It was Ring who had the game's first meaningful opportunity on 17' when he won the ball back in the middle third, exchanged passes with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and unleashed a curling shot which just faded away from the target.
On 22', more fluid build-up play between Maxi Moralez and Ronald Matarrita created a good look for Héber, who read the near-post cross and and diverted the ball towards goal but his shot took a deflection just over the top.
From the resulting corner, the Brazilian was first to it again but his improvised back-heel was just a foot too high.
On the half-hour mark, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the ball in the net against the run of play on an LA counter, but the officials correctly ruled the goal out for offside, much to the relief of the City backline who were caught outnumbered.
However, NYCFC went in at the break with the scoreline their play had warranted as two quick-fire goals on 44' and 45+4' put the Boys in Blue in a commanding position.
First, Héber netted his third goal in five starts after he reacted first to Bingham's parry to hammer home a rebound from close range.
It got even better for City in first-half stoppage-time when Anton Tinnerholm's cross hit a hand and the referee pointed to the penalty spot after a lengthy VAR consultation.
0-2 on penalties so far in 2019, Maxi Moralez bravely stepped up and this time he made no mistake, thrashing the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Bingham with no chance.
After that exciting climax to the first half, the second half started at a more sedate pace, as NYCFC looked to draw the sting from a Galaxy side who came out eager to turn things around.
The hosts enjoyed more possession after the interval but were unable to take advantage, largely thanks to the impressive defensive trio of Alexandr Callens, Maxime Chanot and James Sands.
Alexandru Mitriță was introduced from the bench with 25' to go to inject some fresh impetus to the City attack but there was more defending to do after the break.
Callens was especially alert on 80' when Ibrahimovic finally found a way past Sean Johnson, heading the Swede's goalbound chip out for a corner to preserve the clean sheet.
The NYCFC goal was threatened again with 5' left as Ibrahimovic lifted the ball over the onrushing Johnson, hitting the underside of the crossbar but that was as close as Galaxy came to scoring, meaning NYCFC held on for another important three points.
Other news - Focus
Other news
- 13:35 One absent for New York City FC for the trip to Charlotte
- 13:29 New York City FC 2024 team numbers confirmed
- 16:52 Three Keys of NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls
- 16:23 NYCFC 0-0 Red Bulls, Cushing: "Incredible atmosphere at Yankee Stadium"
- 01:20 The Knicks can sacrifice Immanuel Quickley for a star
- 00:01 Maxi Moralez: "I can't wait to be reunited with the fans"
- 23:00 Maxi Moralez back to NYCFC: "I couldn’t be more excited"
- 22:03 David Lee: "Maxi will bring leadership and experience to our group"
- 22:00 OFFICIAL - Maxi Moralez Returns to New York City Football Club
- 13:00 David Lee: "We're excited to integrate Fernandez into the team"
- 07:20 NYCFC Signs Argentinian Forward Julián Fernández
- 15:30 Bernardeschi can leave Toronto: there is interest from an Italian club
- 14:30 Los Angeles Galaxy crazy offer to Hriving Lozano
- 13:42 CR7: "Saudi Pro League is much better than the MLS"
- 18:44 NYCFC, failing season. The trend needs to be reversed
- 17:27 Birk Risa: "I'm happy to be here, I can't wait to get started"
- 15:39 OFFICIAL - NYCFC Signs Norwegian Defender Birk Risa
- 13:44 Taty Castellanos moves to Lazio
- 13:40 Inter Miami, Alba también se sumará al proyecto
- 23:36 OFFICIAL - Inter Miami, Gerardo Martino named new coach
- 22:58 Timothy Weah has landed in Turin, he will be a Juventus player
- 22:56 OFFICIAL - Kai Havertz is a new Arsenal player
- 15:30 Bayern Munich on Kane, there is an agreement on the contract but not the one with Tottenham
- 14:30 West Ham reject Arsenal's third offer for Rice. Manchester City are considering withdrawing from the auction
- 13:24 Mbappé at Real, the striker's mother-agent is the key: she will be the one to deal with PSG
- 19:15 OFFICIAL - "Welcome to Finnesota". Center forward Pukki restarts from MLS
- 19:13 OFFICIAL - Mateo Kovacic leaves Chelsea and signs with Man City
- 18:30 AC Milan wants Pulisic. Berhalter advises the US midfielder
- 18:00 West Ham: 100 million not enough for Declan Rice, rejected offers from Arsenal and Man City
- 17:30 Timothy Weah moves to Italy
- 17:00 NYCFC may pursue former Vancouver Whitecaps player
- 16:30 Antoine Griezmann wants to play in MLS and rejects the offer from Saudi Arabia
- 15:59 Keaton Parks: "I'm happy to be able to do goal and assist"
- 15:32 Bayern Munich, formal offer for Harry Kane
- 15:23 Andrea Pirlo returns to Italy, signs with Sampdoria
- 13:28 Manchester City's Champions League win could impact NYCFC's future
- 12:00 James Sands Selected To Represent The USMNT At The 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup
- 08:30 Lionel Messi lands in the MLS: pros and cons
- 23:48 Real Salt Lake vs NYCFC: one player unavailable for Cushing
- 23:46 NYCFC, Cushing: “We’re Desperate For The First Road Win"
- 22:34 MLS statement on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF
- 21:54 OFFICIAL - Messi is a new player of Inter Miami FC
- 19:09 Messi's signing with Inter Miami FC