New York City FC remains firmly in the hunt for a seeded play-off place after a deserved 3-2 victory over FC Cincinnati at a sparsely populated Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.
A first-half goal from Mitja Ilenic – his first in professional soccer – coupled with a stunning effort from Alonso Martinez and a Santiago Rodriguez penalty in a chaotic 10-minute spell in the second period that also saw Luciano Acosta score from the spot for Cincinnati.
Cincinnati substitute Corey Baird set up a nail-biting finish when he powered home from close range deep into second-half injury time, evoking memories of NYCFC’s recent two-goal collapses against Chicago and Columbus.
Relief was palpable around Red Bull Arena as NYCFC held their nerve during an agonizing 15-minute injury time period to secure a vital three points that ensured they avoided a Wild Card place in the playoffs.
NYCFC coach Nick Cushing was pleased with the character his side showed in staving off a Cincinnati fightback during an anxiety-filled stoppage time.
“I’m really, really pleased tonight that we showed the character because we’re going to need that going into playoffs,” Cushing said.
NYCFC remains two points behind Orlando and level with New York Red Bulls in the race for a seeded play-off place after Orlando’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union and Red Bulls’ 4-1 victory at Toronto.
They have now won two from two after securing a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against Inter Miami two weeks ago, and Cushing believes that his side now possess the requisite momentum and confidence ahead of the postseason.
“Momentum is everything going into playoffs,” Cushing said. “Ending the season strong, ending the season with a good feeling, having something to hold on to was basically what got us the MLS Cup (in 2021).”
NYCFC dominated the opening stages, controlling possession and putting together some slick passing moves without ever finding a killer pass.
Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano had to be alert to prevent an exquisite Rodriguez through ball from reaching Hannes Wolf and was on hand seconds later to deny Wolf, tipping a long-range curling effort over the crossbar.
Neither side created any clear-cut chances in the opening quarter, and it was fitting that the opening goal came from range when Maxi Moralez found Ilenic in space on the edge of the area. The 19-year-old had time to set himself and fire a low shot across the face of goal beyond Celentano’s despairing dive to give NYCFC a deserved lead.
NYCFC, who had not won in nine games prior to last week’s victory in the Hudson River Derby, was purring, stroking the ball around Red Bull Arena with confidence as Wolf, Rodriguez, and Moralez came to the fore.
They struggled to create any clear chances, however, and were restricted to shots from Rodriguez and Wolf’s range that failed to trouble Celentano.
They were almost made to pay for that lack of cutting-edge as Cincinnati grew into the game as the half drew to a close.
Luca Orellano was inches away from drawing Cincinnati level when he weaved his way through the NYCFC defense and drilled an effort just wide of Matt Freese’s post.
Kevin Kelsy, who was perhaps fortunate to escape a red card after appearing to catch James Sands with an elbow earlier on, squandered the best chance of the game on the stroke of halftime when he was found in acres of space by DeAndre Yedlin. However, he dawdled with the goal at his mercy, allowing NYCFC to scramble clear and take a narrow lead at the interval.
Cincinnati was much-improved in the second half and penned NYCFC inside their half for large portions of the half.
However, they were caught by a sucker punch when Rodriguez dispossessed Orellano deep in NYCFC territory and led the breakaway charge, feeding Martinez, who smashed an emphatic curling effort past Celentano off the underside of the crossbar to give the home side a two-goal cushion after 65 minutes.
NYCFC surrendered that cushion almost immediately when Thiago Martins handled in the area, giving Acosta the chance to reduce the arrears from the spot. He made no mistake, planting an effort into the top corner beyond the dive of Freese.
In a chaotic spell, Cincinnati conceded a penalty of their own just a minute later when Ian Martins was adjudged to have fouled Andrés Perea in the penalty box. Rodriguez made no mistake after a lengthy VAR review, sending Celentano the wrong way to restore the two-goal lead with just 15 minutes remaining.
Cincinnati rarely looked like troubling the NYCFC goal until substitute Baird smashed home from close range six minutes into stoppage time to set up a nervy finale with seven minutes of the allocated time left to play.
Cincinnati won freekick after freekick deep in NYCFC territory but failed to create a clear opening and Cushing’s side eventually clinched a vital three points.
