FT: Columbus 2, NYCFC 1

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Seven minutes of stoppage time. That’s a lot.

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71’: Taty has lost any and all ability to finish. Something has to give.

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63’: Zelarayan scores. Again. It’s 2-1 Columbus. Unbelievable.

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55’: Thiago cuts onto his dominant foot and delivers a shot with pace on net. Unfortunately, it’s right at Room.

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48’: GOOOOOOOAAAALLLL! It’s all tied up!

Just moment into the second half, Jesus Medina pounces on a loose ball in the box and effortlessly sends it past Room. The game is now level at 1-1. Exactly the response you want to see!

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The second half has begun. Can City shake this funk and pull out a comeback?

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HT: NYCFC trail Columbus 1-0 after conceding late on a Nagbe counterattack.

They almost saw it through. Unfortunately, City will have to start the second half down a goal. Things started off good with the Boys in Blue applying pressure. Unfortunately, the Crew grew into the game and made it end-to-end, a situation that they benefitted from.

Unless City — more specifically, Taty Castellanos — gets their finishing boots on, this game is going nowhere fast.

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28’: NYCFC just can’t put the ball in. Maxi squares a ball for Taty, but Room denies him. Jesus Medina attempts to follow up on the rebound, but the Crew defense rallies and deflects it away.

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23’: Another chance! Gudi takes a shot which Room parries. The ball rebounds off of Taty’s chest and away from danger.

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13’: NYCFC almost get a penalty on a handball. Further consultation with the VAR determines it’s a free kick instead.

Gudi takes it and it strikes the wall.

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4’: NYCFC get the first chance! Gudi Thorarinsson whips in a gorgeous cross into the box. Taty Castellanos pounces on it, but his shot is saved by Room in net. Close, but no cigar.

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We’re off in Columbus! NYCFC need a win tonight. No excuses.

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Rosters are out! As rumored before kickoff, Thiago gets his first-ever MLS start after a series of amazing performances off the bench. Alex Callens also returns from international duty to take his rightful place along the backline next to Maxime Chanot.

Elsewhere, Gudi Thorarinsson starts over Malte Amundsen at left back while Jesus Medina returns as well.

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Rosters

New York City FC Starting XI:

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International Duty: Sean Johnson, James Sands
• Injury Report:
• OUT: Heber (knee)
• OUT: Talles Magno (knee)

Columbus Crew Starting XI:

• Suspended: Harrison Afful
• Suspended after next caution: Kiki Struna, Rudy Camacho
• International duty: Derrick Etienne Jr., Kevin Molino, Gyasi Zardes, Liam Fraser
• Injury Report:
• OUT: Aidan Morris

Referees: Ramy Touchan (referee); Eric Boria, Claudiu Badea (assistant referees); Danielle Chesky (4th official); Alejandro Mariscal (VAR)

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How To Watch

Match date & time: July 17, 2021, 7:30 PM ET

Venue: Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH

Online streaming: YES App, ESPN+ (out of market)

TV: YES

Local radio: NYCFC.com/radio

The story: For a second straight time, NYCFC is coming off of a 10-day layoff in between games. Unlike last time, however, where the team was coming off of one of the most dramatic late wins in franchise history, City are attempting to bounce back from a bitter 2-1 defeat at the hands of CF Montreal in the latter’s makeshift home of Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

This time out, NYCFC will once again be on the road with the Columbus Crew being the latest challengers. The Crew are have had a rough start to the season with the defending MLS Champions being in a measly 8th place and without a win in their last four matchups. While this might seem like the ideal opponent for City at this stage, Columbus feels due for a win. They’re without several key players due to a mixture of international responsibilities and suspensions, but this has trap game written all over it.

Should City be able to grab three points from this one, it’ll be a welcome result and play a part in getting rid of the bad taste in fans’ mouths due to the Montreal result. But something feels off about tonight.

Maybe that’s just me.

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