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MLS New York City FC

New York City Football Club Plays to a Draw with Chicago Fire

March 4, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


New York City Football Club picked up their first point of the 2023 MLS season with a 1-1 draw at Chicago Fire. Gabriel Pereira netted City's first goal of the new campaign, before Fabian Herbers leveled with 15 minutes to go at Soldier Field.

Match Recap

City entered the clash eager to kickstart the new campaign, following an opening day defeat to Nashville SC, while the Fire were stepping out for their season opener, having served a bye on Matchday One.

The Boys in Blue sought to extend our impressive record against the Men in Red, having triumphed in 10 and drawn five of our previous 18 meetings, winning our last three on the bounce without conceding.

Head Coach Nick Cushing made three changes to last Saturday's trip to Tennessee. Celebrating his return to the Club following a loan spell with Rangers FC, James Sands was named in the starting XI in the heart of midfield, while Andres Jasson replaced Justin Haak, and Mitja Ilenič marked his full debut in place of the injured Tayvon Gray.

Fresh from signing his new contract, the returning Santiago Rodríguez was also introduced from the bench, alongside debutant and NYCFC II graduate Stephen Turnbull. Talles Magno led the line upfront in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

With both sides looking to strike first, there were early ventures forward at both ends. Chicago saw a penalty shout waved away when Chris Mueller went down, while City put the home goal under pressure with a series of dangerous set-pieces.

The Boys in Blue carved the game's first real chance with a neat team move, as Matías Pellegrini whipped in a teasing delivery to the far post where Jasson slid in - only for his effort to bounce back off the post. The rebound fell to Keaton Parks to strike from range, but Chicago shot-stopper Spencer Richey batted the effort away.

Talles Magno then found Pereira with a fine through-ball, but the 21-year-old was forced wide and saw his shot deflected just wide of the near post.

Heeding the warning, the Fire responded and perhaps should have broken the deadlock when Kacper Przybyłko latched onto a loose backpass, but fortunately for the visitors, the forward took an extra touch to cut inside before blazing over.

Luis Barraza was then called into action to tip over an awkward cross, and Rafael Czichos headed the resulting corner over the bar.

The deadlock was broken six minutes before the break with a moment of magic, as Pereira, who struck an outrageous rocket against Chicago last term, found the net again with another superb finish.

With City pressing high throughout, Braian Cufré had done well to win back possession in a promising area, finding Keaton Parks. The ball was played across to Pereira, and the Brazilian curled beautifully into the far corner, in off the post.

Talles Magno came within inches of doubling the lead before half-time, stretching to reach Cufré's cross, but City would head into the break with a one-goal advantage.

Cushing's side continued to threaten through the center after the restart, as Talles Magno clipped into Pellegrini's path. Opting to try and round Richey, the Argentine took the ball a little wide and was thwarted by the Fire 'keeper from a narrow angle. Parks then headed over.

Pushing for a route back into the contest, Chicago rallied late on. Gastón Giménez unleashed an ambitious volley, which bounced wide of the target, but the hosts would level a minute later, as Herbers smashed in with the ball only half-cleared after Kei Kamara had kept Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick alive.

As both sides chased a late winner, Maxime Chanot headed over from close range, while Chicago saw an effort ruled out for offside when Maren Haile-Selassie drilled in the rebound, after Barraza had done brilliantly to deny Czichos.

Though seven minutes of injury time were added, neither side could snatch victory, and the spoils were shared at Soldier Field.

How We Lined Up

What's Next

NYCFC are back on home soil, welcoming Inter Miami CF to Yankee Stadium in our 2023 home opener on Saturday, March 11th (7:30pm ET). Tickets for the game are available now!

Join us at our pre-match Home Opener Celebration between 5-7pm at Billy's Sports Bar in the Bronx, and get in the mood for our first home game of 2023 with a DJ, food and drinks, games and raffle prizes! Register here.

Sign-up for MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app - and never miss a moment of the 2023 season. Stream every regular-season, playoff, and Leagues Cup match. Every Screen. No Blackouts.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 4, 2023


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