Atlas couldn’t recover from the aim scored within the fourth minute of the primary half and have been unable to search out the again of the online within the second half regardless of a number of possibilities. NYCFC got here out victorious and hopefully the win will assist them get out of the current stoop in league play wherein they’ve solely gained 5 factors in 10 league video games.
The NYCFC early aim took the wind out of Atlas’ sails
Almost 4 minutes after kickoff NYCFC scored the primary aim when Gabriel Pereira’s free kick was headed by Nicolás Acevedo and all Alexander Callens needed to do was knock the ball in. Atlas defenders thought it was offside, however the aim stood regardless of protests by the Atlas gamers.
Atlas dominated possession after the aim as they tried to equalize, however they couldn’t make the most of their alternatives. NYCFC progressively gained again possession of the ball and had another possibilities with free kicks and corners that Atlas efficiently defended.
Brazilian striker Heber needed to come off the sphere within the twenty ninth minute attributable to damage. His NYCFC teammate and Brazilian counterpart Talles Magno got here in to substitute him.
Tayvon Grey was booked within the forty first minute for taking a dive within the space and making an attempt to idiot the referee. Time ran out and the primary half ended 1-0 in favor of NYCFC, who had a slight benefit in possession through the first 45 minutes (58%) and had extra possibilities than Atlas.
Second half agony for Atlas
NYCFC picked up the place they left off within the early minutes of the second half and shocked Atlas with one other fast aim earlier than the Mexican facet knew what had hit them. On the four-minute mark NYCFC labored the ball properly up the sphere and Maximiliano Moralez proper footed a screamer into the underside left nook to make it 2-0.
A whole lot of the credit score of that aim has to go to the 20-year-old American Tyvon Grey, who eased the ball up the sphere after which made the final move to help his veteran Argentinian teammate Maxi Morález who knocked in a good looking aim.
Atlas didn’t surrender after being two down with 40 minutes nonetheless to play and Quiñones had an opportunity within the 53rd minute, however couldn’t discover the again of the online. One minute later Atlas scored, however the aim was referred to as again due to an offside infraction.
The Mexican ahead Jonathan Herrera got here on for his Ecuadorian teammate Anibal Chalá within the fifty fifth minute to attempt to get one thing going for Atlas. The substitution was an offensive transfer and it appeared to work as Atlas had a number of possibilities through the subsequent ten minutes, however couldn’t get the ball previous Luis Barraza, NYCFC’s goalkeeper.
Ángel Márquez got here on for Christopher Trejo within the 69th minute. One other substitution, this time for NYCFC within the 73rd minute noticed Santiago Rodriguez come off and the Brazilian ahead Thiago Andrade take his place.
Callens was booked for losing time within the 79th minute and his teammate Moralez additionally noticed a yellow card 4 minutes later for a foul on Santamaria. Shortly after Talles Magno nearly scored the third aim of the evening for NYCFC.
Within the eighty fifth minute there was a double substitution for the New York Metropolis FC: Maxi Moralez and Nicolás Acevedo got here off the sphere and have been changed by Keaton Parks and Justin Haak.
Within the remaining minutes Atlas introduced Rodriguez for Flores and shortly after Reyes was proven a yellow card. 4 further minutes have been added however NYCFC have been in a position to transfer the ball round and maintain it away for the Atlas gamers.
The sport ended 2-0 in favor of the staff for New York because the MLS celebrates one other victory for one among its groups and the primary worldwide trophy for NYCFC.