Match Recap | NYCFC 5-2 FC Cincinnati

New York City FC returned to the Bronx, after a long four weeks of road games, to take on FC Cincinnati for the first time in MLS history. 

As the City looked to keep their unbeaten streak, the squad’s depth was tested with the overlapping international break, meaning Dome was without six senior players.

With Sean Johnson away, Brad Stuver was called upon to be in net for the match. 

The defense also saw big changes with James Sands, Maxime Chanot, and Anton Tinnerholm holding it down in the backline. Meanwhile, in-form pair Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Valentin Castellanos made their returns to Dome Torrent’s XI.

NYCFC kicked off Pride night the City way, scoring the first goal of the night in the 11’ minute. Alexandru Mitriță pushed the ball forward, passing to Maxi Moralez, who crossed it back to Mitriță for his fourth goal in City Blue. 

That was only the beginning for NYCFC’s scoring…

City didn’t take long to double their advantage and it was another close range finish following an intricate move when it came.

This time, it was Héber who profited with his fifth goal for NYCFC, tapping home Anton Tinnerholm’s cross on 17’. 

It got even better for the Boys in Blue on 29’ when Tajouri-Shradi hammered in the third goal at the near post from another Tinnerholm assist, to make it 3-0 and set the smokestacks off once more.

Cincinnati hit back before the halftime break after a cross hit the back of Héber and beat Brad Stuver for the own goal, making it 3-1 to home side at the interval.

Coming out in the second half, Héber struck once more in the 49’ minute, scoring his sixth goal the season and it was the pick of the bunch – a delightful cushion and volley into the bottom corner.

In the 76’ minute, FC Cincinnati pushed the ball towards NYCFC’s box, Stuver was there to make the initial save but the ball was deflected off of Sebastien Ibeagha for another own goal, putting the score to 4-2. 

There were more cheers in store late in the game when NYC homegrown Justin Haak entered for his senior debut to rapturous cheers from all corners of the stadium.

To cap the night, Maxi Moralez wrestled through the FC Cincinnati defense and, after some more incredible interplay in the box from the Boys in Blue, banked in a goal in the 89’ minute, bringing the score up 5-2.

NYCFC had quite a night, scoring goals left and right, extending their undefeated streak and bringing three points to the Bronx! Now that’s how you celebrate Pride night…