New York City FC II were soundly beaten by Crown Legacy FC 1-3 in a dominant display by the away team. NYCFC II entered this match on a three-game win streak in all competitions and only made one change from their win against Columbus with Christian McFarlane back in the lineup after Christopher Tiao filled in at left back.
New York City FC II: 14 shots, 1 shots on target, 51% possession, 437 passes, 84.9% pass accuracy, 10 fouls, 6 saves
Crown Legacy FC: 18 shots, 9 shots on target, 49% possession, 420 passes, 85% pass accuracy, 13 fouls, 0 saves
Goals:
• Crown Legacy, William David Sangoquiza 16'
• Crown Legacy, Dylan Sing 47'
• Crown Legacy, Jonathon Nyondjo 58'
• New York City, Johnny Shore, 64'
New York City allow early goal (sound familiar?)
NYCFC II have struggled in the opening minutes of matches this season, often falling behind early. This game was no different. In the seventh minute, a Crown Legacy cross struck the arm of an NYCFC defender, awarding the away team an early penalty. Nimfasha Berchimas, who played for Charlotte FC in the season opener against New York City FC, tried to convert but the shot was stopped by a diving save from Alex Rando. The 23-year-old goalkeeper had an excellent game despite the result, preventing multiple point-blank attempts from the Crown Legacy.
Crown Legacy got on the scoresheet minutes later when a simple corner routine found center-back William David Sangoquiza Paredes open in the six-yard box. A flicked header beat Rando at the near post giving the visitors the early lead.
Throughout the first half, New York City failed to capitalize on the space open to them along the left flank as McFarlane and midfielder Ronald Arévalo failed to create anything meaningful.
Crown Legacy held the one-goal advantage at the break, but the Baby Blues held the possession advantage with 56%. Crown Legacy had ten shots, five of which were on target, while NYCFC II failed to turn any of their five shots on target.
Second-half struggles
NYCFC II needed to come out of the break hot, but instead fell behind in the 46th minute as Crown Legacy striker Dylan Sing latched onto a deep cross and headed the ball past Rando. It was 0-2 for the visitors.
Twelve minutes later, the game was essentially put to rest when a poor pass by Rando allowed the visitors to easily combine for a third goal. Crown Legacy’s Jonathon Nyondjo, who had been substituted in just one minute earlier, easily slotted the ball into the net.
In the 63rd minute, NYCFC II showed some fight, when second-half substitute Piero Elias found Jonathon Shore in the middle. Shore’s goal was his fourth in MLSNextPro play, and the 17-year-old academy product continues his blistering form this season.
JONATHAN SHORE PULLS ONE BACK. pic.twitter.com/H2ljBAf2P1
— New York City FC II (@newyorkcityfcii) April 28, 2024
Shores’s strike ended up being only a consolation goal as the Baby Blues failed to create any more meaningful chances. NYCFC II peppered the goal, finishing the match with 14 shots, but they failed to put any pressure on the keeper as only one of those strikes was on target. Conversely Crown Legacy had 17 shots on target, with eight of them challenging Rando’s net.
NYCFC II will now travel to Georgia and face Atlanta United II on Friday, May, 3. Then the Baby Blues will play the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on of the USL Championship in the heavily anticipated US Open Cup Round of 32 matchup on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 pm at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John's University in Queens.
