New York City FC Post-Match Notes - Leagues Cup Phase One Match 2 V. Cruz Azul SIS 8.9.26
Published on August 9, 2026 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release
New York City FC huddle vs. Cruz Azul
(New York City FC)
New York City FC battled Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup action on Sunday night, with Max Murray heading home Nico Fernández Mercau's free kick to cancel out Agustín Palavecino's opener. The Boys in Blue pushed for a second after halftime, but José Paradela's deflected strike in the 78th minute restored Cruz Azul's lead and ultimately proved to be the difference.
All three of New York City FC's goals in Leagues Cup 2026 have been scored by Defenders, with Defender Max Murray, Defender Nico Cavallo and Defender Tayvon Gray each finding the back of the net.
Murray's header tonight gave New York City FC its first set-piece goal of the tournament.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese leads the Club in Leagues Cup history with 34 saves and three clean sheets.
Sunday's Leagues Cup match marked the first-ever meeting between New York City FC and Cruz Azul across all competitions.
New York City FC is in its fourth Leagues Cup campaign and currently holds an all-time record of 4W-6L-3D (15 points) across 13 matches.
The 'Boys in Blue' own a 3W-2L-1D record at home and a 1W-4L-2D record away in the competition.
New York City FC faced Santos Laguna in their opening Leagues Cup fixture on August 6 and earned their first three points of the campaign with a 2-0 victory in the first of their three Phase One matches.
Tayvon Gray and Nico Cavallo each scored a goal in the opening match.
New York City FC has scored 17 goals and conceded 16 goals in Leagues Cup play while recording four clean sheets.
Defender Max Murray scored his first professional goal for the Club, which also marked his first career Leagues Cup goal.
Murray joins Forward Agustín Ojeda, Defender Tayvon Gray and Defender Nico Cavallo as the only players on New York City FC's active Leagues Cup roster to have scored in the competition.
Midfielder Nico Fernández Mercau recorded his first career Leagues Cup assist, joining Forward Agustín Ojeda, Forward Talles Magno and Midfielder Andrés Perea as the only players on the Club's active Leagues Cup roster to have recorded an assist in the competition.
Midfielder Jonny Shore made his 50th appearance for New York City FC in tonight's match.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese made his 10th career Leagues Cup appearance and his 115th for the Club across all competitions.
Following tonight's match, we've prepared comprehensive post-match notes featuring a Scoring Summary, Stats, Lineups, and a Disciplinary Summary.
Images from this story
 New York City FC lineup vs. Cruz Azul |
 New York City FC huddle vs. Cruz Azul |
Major League Soccer Stories from August 9, 2026
- Nashville SC Continues Leagues Cup with 4-1 Win over Atlético de San Luis - Nashville SC
- New York City FC Post-Match Notes - Leagues Cup Phase One Match 2 V. Cruz Azul SIS 8.9.26 - New York City FC
- Rick's eight saves guide Union to Leagues Cup win - Philadelphia Union
- Cruz Azul Takes 2-1 Victory over New York City FC - New York City FC
- LAFC Weekly - Los Angeles FC
- Sounders FC Tops Querétaro FC 3-0 in Leagues Cup Play on Sunday Afternoon at Lumen Field - Seattle Sounders FC
- Revolution II Sign Academy Forward/Winger Makai Wells to MLS NEXT Pro Contract - New England Revolution
- LAFC Scores Late to Defeat Toluca, 1-0, in Leagues Cup - Los Angeles FC
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