MLS New York City FC

Red Bulls Blank NYCFC, 1-0

August 3, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


New York City Football Club suffered a defeat in the Leagues Cup Round of 32 against Red Bulls on Thursday night. Omir Fernandez handed the hosts a first-half lead from the penalty spot after Luquinhas was fouled in the area. On a night of few chances that would prove the only goal of the game and enough for Red Bulls to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Match Recap

The Hudson River Derby took center stage on Thursday night at Red Bull Arena as NYCFC took on the Red Bulls in the Leagues Cup Round of 32.

Head Coach Nick Cushing made one chance to the team that overcame Toronto FC 5-0 last time out, with James Sands replacing Alfredo Morales in the heart of the midfield.

The two sides settled into an early rhythm and that allowed NYCFC to control possession. Their attempts to build up play from back to front saw some early success, but not in the form of clear-cut chances.

That changed in the 23rd minute when a flowing move from right to left allowed Santiago Rodríguez to play Braian Cufré in. The defender cut inside and fired a shot towards goal but it was blocked by the Red Bull defence.

At the other end, the hosts were trying to establish themselves in the contest, and they were handed a great opportunity to take the lead in the 28th minute via the penalty spot.

James Sands was adjudged to have felled Luquinhas in the penalty area, and up stepped Omir Fernandez to take the resulting spot kick - his effort beating Matt Freese in the NYCFC goal.

Cameron Harper would be the next man to test Freese after driving into the penalty area, but the shot-stopper stood up tall to parry it away from danger. As the halftime whistle approached Luquinhas would again test Freese, but he was unable to find a way past him.

The second period began with two changes for NYCFC as Matías Pellegrini and Justin Haak entered the contest in place of Richy Ledezma and Andres Jasson.

Those changes had an early impact on proceedings as a smart dummy by Pellegrini allowed Mounsef Bakrar the chance to run through on goal. The strike was eventually fouled by Andres Reyes, but NYCFC were unable to capitalize from the resulting freekick.

The game had become somewhat scrappy and that was making it difficult for NYCFC to establish a rhythm in possession. Switching up their approach, Rodríguez pounced on a loose ball to free Bakrar in behind but his shot was tame.

Bakrar was proving a nuisance to the Red Bulls backline, however, with his running in behind a problem. In the 62nd minute, he won a freekick in a good position after jumping on a loose ball and winning a foul from John Tolkin.

Arguably the team's best move of the second half came in the 75th minute when Keaton Parks played Tayvon Gray in down the right-hand side, but his low effort was well smothered by Carlos Coronel.

Cushing would again turn to his bench in the 79th minute to introduce Talles Magno in place of Bakrar. He would turn to the bench again in injury time to introduce Gabe Segal in place of Tayvon Gray.

Despite fighting until the very end NYCFC were unable to find a breakthrough and that allowed Red Bulls to claim victory on the night.

What's Next

Next up for New York City Football Club is a meeting with Minnesota United at Citi Field in MLS. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30PM ET on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

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