Make it rain: NYCFC II beat FC Cincinnati 2 by score of 5-1

New York City FC II handed FC Cincinnati 2 a convincing defeat yesterday at Belson Stadium in Queens, beating the visitors 5-1 and thoroughly outplaying a side that often looked helpless. It was the second time in as many games that NYCFC scored five goals, and the Young Pigeons now lead MLS NEXT Pro with 35 goals this season.

Forward John Denis opened the scoring yesterday against Cincinnati in the third minute, then added another two minutes later. The 24-year-old forward now leads the team with nine goals this season.

New York City now sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points after 14 games despite a slow start to the season.

Game Stats

NYCFC II: 28 shots, 10 on goal, 58% possession, 529 passes, 86.8% accuracy, 13 fouls

FC Cincinnati 2: 6 shots, 3 on goal, 42% possession, 383 passes, 83.8% accuracy, 8 fouls

The squad that took the field against Cincinnati was missing Justin Haak, who was instrumental in Young Pigeon’s comprehensive 5-0 win over Philadelphia Union II the week before. Haak was called up to the Senior Team and performed well when subbed on in what turned out to be a wild, entertaining 4-4 draw.

Instead, 21-year-old Samuel Owusu was slotted into the center of the midfield. Usually played as a center-back, Owusu kept the ball moving as NYCFC sprinted to a two-goal lead in the first five minutes of play behind Denis’s brace, then cruised to a comfortable win.

The Young Pigeons will next face New England Revolution II on July 10 at Gillette Stadium. The two sides met in the first game of the year. The teams drew 2-2, and New England went on to win the penalty shootout and grab a second point.

Goals:
NYCFC, John Denis 3’
NYCFC, John Denis 5’
NYCFC, Piero Elias 16’
NYCFC, Jonathan Jimenez 18’
NYCFC, Júlian Gómez, 70’

Discipline:
Cincinnati, Maxwell Miller, foul, yellow card 70’
Cincinnati, Bryan Sánchez, foul, yellow card 78’
NYCFC, Klevis Haxhari, foul, yellow card 88’