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FT: NYCFC 3, Chicago 1

NYCFC “host” the Fire at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey as they look to build upon their scrappy win earlier in the week. Watch live on YES with us!

By Christian A Smith Updated
MLS: Chicago Fire at New York City FC Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

FT: NYCFC soundly defeat Chicago 3-1 after a brilliant second half performance!

From the onset, NYCFC looked like the better team. And they were able to grab a clutch goal from Keaton Parks early. A mistake at the end of the first half looked like it could hurt, but then Maxi Moralez came on for City and turned the game on its head with brilliant distribution. After goals from Anton Tinnerholm and Alex Ring, the game was firmly sealed.

We’re gaining some momentum now, ladies and gents!

Four minutes are added on

89’: Taty almost completely embarrasses Sparrow. Luckily for Chicago, some emergency defending keeps City from throwing salt into the wound.

88’: Nicolas Acevedo comes on for James Sands. Another great shift from the young American Homegrown. Now we get to see Nico do his thing.

83’: Callens goes into the book. I’m iffy on that one. That looked like a textbook 50-50 ball.

79’: A few changes for NYCFC. Gudi comes on for Ronald Matarrita, while Gary Mackay-Steven comes on for Jesus Medina. Solid shifts for the Boys.

75’: GOOOOOOOOOOOAAALLLLLLL!!!! The Ringleader gives NYCFC a much-needed cushion later on!

Though Ring gets the goal, all credit goes to Tinnerholm on that one. After being slipped in behind by Medina, the Swede evades two defenders with tantalizing skill and technique before lacing a cross far-post to an unmarked Ring. What a play!

NYCFC lead 3-1 and seem to be well on their way to a second consecutive victory!

74’: Alex Callens with a clutch stop in front of net! That was almost really bad.

66’: Héber comes off for Taty Castellanos. It was a game to forget for the Brazilian, who has still yet to score in MLS play.

64’: City look like a team reborn on the offensive side. Maxi’s inclusion has led to chance after chance. It’s insane how much of a game changer he is.

55’: A brilliant slow build up almost leads to another goal. Héber turns onto his right foot in the box on a chance that should’ve certainly resulted in a goal. But the shot is off target. The Brazilian will be kicking himself.

53’: GOOOOOOOOOOAAALLLLL!!! TinnerBoom pulls City out ahead!

Within 10 minutes of being on, Maxi Moralez threads the needle through to Anton Tinnerholm at the right side of the area. The Swedish right back puts his head down and smashes it far post, not too different from what Keaton did earlier.

City leads 2-1!

The second half is underway. And we already have our first change! Maxi Moralez comes on for Alexandru Mitrita. Can NYCFC find a way to get back in the lead?

HT: After some late dramatics, NYCFC and the Fire are knotted at 1-1 going into the half.

The game began quite wide open until Keaton Parks pulled NYCFC ahead with his goal in the 16th minute. From there, both teams settled in with City getting more chances on goal. Unfortunately, Chicago would have the final word of the half with a goal on a corner in stoppage time.

Plenty of positives for City to build upon. But they’re gonna need more goals.

45’+2: What a save from SeanJohn! It was leaky defense from NYCFC, but the City goalkeeping stalwart makes good with a kick save.

Unfortunately, just moments later, Chicago converts on the corner. It’s gonna be tied 1-1 going into the half.

42’: Matarrita is down following a late tackle. Mata seems to be favoring his ankle, which he has injured before. But he’s up and walking.

39’: Mitri does the signature cut into the middle from the left, and unleashes a curled shot towards Chicago’s goal. Sparrow is equal to the strike — Medina is unable to bag it on the rebound.

31’: Héber strikes a loose ball first time. Unfortunately, right at Sparrow.

21’: Despite the play being whistled for offside, Callens still deserves props on that great open-net deflection.

20’: Maxime Chanot nearly makes it two! But his header off the corner clanks off the post.

16’: GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!! Keaton Parks delivers the opening tally!

Following a neat corner, Mitri swerves in a delicious ball from the right flank to Parks in behind. The American midfielder then brilliantly guides the ball into the far-side netting. City take the lead 1-0!

7’ Good parrying save by Sean Johnson on a strike from distance. Keaton Parks has looked off in transition in the early goings — that Chicago chance was a direct consequence of an NYCFC turnover

2’: Alexandru Mitrita plays Héber in behind, whose shot is denied by Sparrow. Keaton Parks has an opportunity on the rebound, but it’s blocked in front of net.

We’re off in Jersey... again. Can City dispatch of old foes Chicago and begin the long climb back up the table?

UPDATE: Anton Tinnerholm did not sustain an injury in pregame warmups.

Rosters are out! Maxi Moralez and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi hav both returned to the bench after returning to team training this week.

Rosters

New York City Starting XI:

  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: None
  • International Duty: None
  • Injury Report:
  • OUT: Sebastien Ibeagha (D) - hamstring injury
  • OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Maxi Moralez (M) - calf injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (M) - hamstring injury

Chicago Starting XI:

  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: Fabian Herbers (M)
  • International duty: None
  • Injury Report:
  • OUT: Jeremiah Gutjahr (M) - knee injury
  • OUT: Johan Kappelhof (D) - hip flexor
  • OUT: Kenneth Kronholm (GK) - knee injury
  • OUT: Luka Stojanović (M) - knee injury

Referees: Rubiel Vazquez (referee); Logan Brown, Ian McKay (assistant referees); Thomas Snyder (4th official); Chris Penso (VAR)

How To Watch

Match date & time: August 29, 2020, 7:30 PM ET

Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ

Online streaming: Fox Sports App

TV: YES

Local radio: NYCFC.com/radio

The story: After a much-needed 1-0 victory over the then-undefeated Columbus Crew earlier this week, a re-energized New York City FC stay put in New Jersey as they “host” the Chicago Fire in a key Saturday matchup.

The Fire are coming off of a big 3-0 win over FC Cincinnati, but currently sit at 9th place in the Eastern Conference with 9 points — just one more than that of NYCFC. Should City be able to build upon their performance against the Crew and earn a victory tonight, they will leapfrog Chicago in the standings and continue making inroads towards re-establishing themselves as a playoff/MLS Cup contender.

Kickoff is at 7:30 PM. Let’s hope the Boys in Blue can pull this one out.

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

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