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FT: #NYCFC fall 1-0 to TFC in what s possibly the most disappointing game I've witnessed all season. Several chances weren't buried. And on top of that, the game was decided on a phantom handball.
— Hudson River Blue (@hudsonriverblue) September 24, 2020
Yeah, we're salty. pic.twitter.com/x63Ibmo1P2
88’: Just moments after coming on, Cacha is called for a handball in the box. That’ll be a TFC penalty.
Pozuelo will step up to take it. And... scores it. 1-0 TFC.
86’: Héber is in obvious, agonizing pain. I’ve never seen him this distraught. He’ll come off.
82’: This is infuriating. I can’t believe City haven’t scored.
74’: Johnson makes a big time stop to keep the game level. NYCFC need to get on the score sheet. And fast! TFC can’t be placated forever.
70' THREE CHANGES! Mata for Gudi, Tajouri-Shradi for GMS, and Mitrita on for Medina. Let's do this! #NYCFC
— Hudson River Blue (@hudsonriverblue) September 24, 2020
63’: I’d like to see some changes right now. Maybe Tajouri-Shradi in for GMS or Mata in for Gudi to give City a boost.
57' Yup. Héber on for Taty. Shame it had to come to that. But PRO refs gonna PRO. #NYCFC
— Hudson River Blue (@hudsonriverblue) September 24, 2020
55’: More of the same early in the second half. City are dominant and peppering Toronto’s defense. But nothing doing.
Second half is underway. City need to find a goal.
HT: NYCFC and TFC are scoreless going into half. City are the better team, without question. The first half was mostly one-way traffic in favor for NYCFC, but they just cannot find that goalscoring touch. They’ve been so close in this one and deserve to be up, but somebody has to find the net.
Two minutes of stoppage time.
42' Great cross from GMS finds Ring, but the captain can't bury it. #NYCFC deserves to be up right now.
— Hudson River Blue (@hudsonriverblue) September 23, 2020
39’: NYCFC is a magnet for bad officiating. I’ve never seen this Dickerson guy ref an MLS game before. I don’t think I ever want to see him again.
35’: SeanJohn steps up to deny Pozuelo! Great stop!
32' AHHHH, so close! Parks' header forces Bono into a good save. Callens is there for the rebound, but the TFC keeper is up to task on the double save! #NYCFC
— Hudson River Blue (@hudsonriverblue) September 23, 2020
30’: James Sands is such a genius! Moments after doing a brilliant job to close space in the midfield, he unleashes an inch=perfect outside foot pass down the left flank.
26’: Agonizingly close! Gary Mackay-Steven gets a golden opportunity in the box, but can’t direct his curling shot on frame. Still scoreless.
19' Great long throw from Tinnerholm leads to another promising attack, this one culminating in a cracking Medina shot from distance. Getting closer #NYCFC
— Hudson River Blue (@hudsonriverblue) September 23, 2020
11’: Interesting pace early on. NYCFC looked much better right off kickoff. From there, TFC settled in. But City seem to be finding a lot of runs in behind, especially in the wide areas.
Right as I say, big chance for City stopped by Bono. Corner incoming.
We’re off at RBA! Can another experimental City side go unbeaten in their 7th straight game?
Rosters are out! This, I’m seriously confused by. Gudi Thorarinsson gets the start over a healthy Ronald Matarrita at left back. And from the looks of it, Gary Mackay-Steven gets the start at CAM with Jesus Medina on the right wing. Deila’s controversial habit of playing Alex Ring at right wing continues.
James Sands, however, is reinserted into the team sheet as we all had hoped he would be. Also, Taty Castellanos steps up to replace Héber — who has been cold all season — at striker.
Rosters
- New York City FC Starting XI:
| #NYCFC XI #TFCLive #NYCvTOR | @hays_us pic.twitter.com/DvFBx5kDfD
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) September 23, 2020
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International Duty: None
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Maxi Moralez (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Tayvon Gray (D) - undisclosed injury
Toronto FC Starting XI:
Back to work
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) September 23, 2020
Tonight’s Starting XI vs. @NYCFC#NYCvTOR | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/7bUnggGc1E
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Achara (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Liam Fraser (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Michael Bradley (M) - Grade 2 MCL strain
- OUT: Auro Jr. (D) - undisclosed injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Marky Delgado (M) - Grade 2 MCL strain
- Referees: Joseph Dickerson (referee); Kyle Atkins, Ryan Graves (assistant referees); Sergii Demianchuk (4th official); Chris Penso (VAR)
How To Watch
Match date & time: September 23, 2020, 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
Online streaming: Fox Sports Go (live broadcast)
TV: YES (tape delay)
Local radio: NYCFC.com/radio
The story: Fresh off a polarizing scoreless draw with the New England Revolution, New York City FC return to their temporary home of Red Bull Arena to host old rival Toronto FC in their penultimate Phase 2 matchup.
The storylines surrounding this game are immense. TFC have long been a thorn in City’s side. And with questions looming over manager Ronny Deila’s tactics following the team’s underwhelming performance against the Revs — despite being in the midst of a 6-game unbeaten streak — NYCFC need to make the best of the occasion if they are wanting to turn doubt into optimism, as well as keep up the pace with the Eastern Conference’s top four.
New York City, however, have a lot going for them in this midweek match. Forced to rotate a bunch of players over the weekend, the Pigeons will regain several starters — namely James Sands, Ronald Matarrita, and Jesus Medina — while TFC will be without a number of players due to injury, most notable team captain Michael Bradley.
This post will update with highlights and information as we receive it.