Castellanos’ Majestic Performance Lifts NYCFC Over Red Bulls

Valentín Castellanos had his first career hat trick and assisted on another goal to help New York City FC beat the New York Red Bulls 5-2 on Sunday night.

The 22-year-old Castellanos opened the scoring in the 12th minute, heading home a long entry from Maximiliano Moralez. Castellanos converted from the penalty spot in the 76th to make it 4-2 and slipped a rising half-volley inside the post in the 84th. He was four multi-goal games.

New York City (11-8-3) has won three in a row for the third time this season and the second since Sept. 26.

Alexander Ring gave NYCFC the lead for good with a left-footer from outside the area that skimmed the bottom of the cross bar in the 51st minute.

The Red Bulls (8-9-5) had a five-game unbeaten streak snapped.

Brian White rolled a one-touch shot from just outside the top of the area inside the post to tie it in the 18th minute and Cristian Cásseres Jr. first-timed a ball from White, deflecting it off a defender into the corner of the net in the 38th to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead.

Gary Mackay-Stevens ran onto a ball from a Castellanos and bounced it off goalkeeper Ryan Meara into the net to make it 2-2 in the 42nd minute. It was Mackay-Stevens’ first goal this season and second of his career.