New York City 2, Chicago 0 - as it happened

FT: New York City collects a key 2-0 victory over Chicago.

The win clinches a playoff berth for City and puts some distance between them and Columbus in the standings. For now, at least.

Obviously, it’s gonna take more than a win over a lethargic Fire on the road to convince me that this team has turned the curve, but it’s a start. Going into these last few games of the regular season, confidence and momentum are key and a win, no matter the opponent, can go a long way.

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89’: This game really turned into a snooze fest after the goals. But it’s gonna be a win, so it’s hard to complain.

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67’: The game has quieted since Villa’s goal. But NYCFC has retained control, even if Chicago has settled in.

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51’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! David Villa converts to put the Blues up 2-0

City have begun to find their rhythm and break the game open.

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47’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAALLL!!! Alex Ring curls it in from distance!

The great City buildup finally leads to a goal, as the Ringmaster bags his first-ever goal at Yankee Stadium. This is exactly the start to the second half NYCFC needed.

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Without further ado, here is the second half. I don’t care what it takes, City needs to win this game.

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HT: We’re still scoreless.

City dominated early, let the Fire get into it in the middle, then regained control at the end of the first half. Despite dictating the pace, the goals still haven’t come. It’s starting to feel like this team isn’t just in a slump, but that they’re incapable.

If they can’t win tonight, the panic button must be smashed as hard as possible.

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44’: C’mon, dammit!

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41’: That has to end in a goal! David Villa had Maxi wide in on net, but his pass is wayward. Easy opportunities like that don’t come often

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39’: That’s twice City has almost scored on a corner.

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33’: City aren’t doing anything wrong, but nothing particularly right either. This strange complacency seems to be a recurring theme in recent weeks.

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25’: Chicago has grown into this game. As bad as they have been this year, any team anchored by Bastian Schweinsteiger is dangerous when in a rhythm.

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18’: City looks decent in the offset. Sweat looks comfortable at CB and the ball is being moved well. But scoring is key right now

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We’re off in the Bronx!

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Rosters are out! Ben Sweat makes a shock start over Sebastien Ibeagha at center back, while Ronald Matarrita returns to the left back position. Other notable returns to the XI include Ebenezer Ofori and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi.

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Rosters

New York City Starting XI:

• Suspended: D - Alex Callens
• Suspended after next caution: M - Tommy McNamara, M - Yangel Herrera
• International Duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M - Yangel Herrera (ankle injury), D - Cedric Hountondji (hamstring injury); QUESTIONABLE: M - Jesus Medina (hamstring injury)

Chicago Starting XI:

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Jorge Corrales
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Matt Polster (MCL surgery), M/D - Diego Campos (left MCL injury), M - Mo Adams (right hamstring injury), F - Luis Solignac (right adductor injury), D - Christian Dean (right hamstring injury), D - Grant Lillard (left quad injury); QUESTIONABLE: M - Bastian Schweinsteiger (undisclosed injury)

Referees: Jair Marrufo (referee); Adam Garner, Jeremy Kieso (assistant referees); Robert Sibiga (4th official); Mark Geiger (VAR)

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How To Watch

Match date & time: September 26, 2018, 7 pm.

Venue: Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Online streaming: Fox Sports GO

TV: YES2

Local radio: WNYE 91.5 FM — English; WADO 1280 AM — Spanish.

All-time series: Though not by an entirely lopsided margin, New York City FC currently lead the Chicago Fire in the all-time series with 3 wins to the Men in Red’s 2 in eight total matchups, with the other three being draws.

Both NYCFC and Chicago come into Wednesday’s match in less than stellar form. City has been without a win in their last six games, while Chicago has only managed one win in their last eleven games. The difference, however, is that NYCFC are on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth and the Fire are most likely just waiting for the season to be over.

The Boys in Blue definitely have the advantage on paper with them being home at Yankee Stadium — a venue in which they’ve only lost once in 15 total games — while Chicago has been dreadful on the road. However, NYCFC are a team currently in the slump. And given that their form has recently been atrocious and that they are currently fighting for playoff seeding, City cannot afford to take the Fire for granted.

This post will update with highlights and information as we receive it.