September 18, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – New York City FC News Release
New York City Football Club claimed a superb 2-0 win over Red Bulls in the Hudson River Derby on Saturday.
Here are Five Points from another memorable game at Yankee Stadium…
Deserved Double
There was plenty at stake as City and Red Bulls locked horns for the 21st time in MLS history – not only are the two sides vying for position in the Eastern Conference Playoff spots but there was of course the not-so-small matter of local pride on the line.
The Boys in Blue held the bragging rights going into the game, having triumphed on Red Bull turf back in July, and were seeking to secure the season series in MLS against our rivals for the first time.
Nick Cushing’s side would edge our rivals not only in terms of the result but in possession (55.6%), passes (443 / 346) and passing accuracy (71.8% / 65.3%) – and even though the visitors registered more shots, the home side clocked more efforts on target, ultimately making two of our three chances count!
Dream Start
As was the case on Wednesday night in the Campeones Cup, NYCFC struck an early goal to take the lead – only this one was even quicker!
Alex Callens’ second goal in as many games was netted after just 50 seconds – the fastest goal ever scored in a Hudson River Derby.
The strike put City immediately on the front foot, setting the tone for the game and settling any nerves, while delighting our already-buoyant, 30,151-strong home crowd to crank up the noise!
Santiago Rodríguez’s effort midway through the first half to double the advantage and put the Boys in Blue in dreamland, and having won 11 of the 13 MLS games in which we’d led, the MLS Cup Champions never really looked like relinquishing that lead with an excellent defensive display.
Set-Piece Specialists
Three of City’s last four goals have come as a result of set-pieces: the Campeones Cup opener the result of a free-kick, and the two Hudson River Derby goals from corners.
Not only that but with a variety of players having found their scoring touch – the Defenders and Midfielders chipping in – the squad are rekindling their scoring touch at a crucial time of the season.
Given goals had proven hard to come by in previous games, the set-piece threat adds another string to the bow in what could be a useful piece of the armory in the Playoff push.
Star Quality
Speaking after the game, Interim Head Coach Cushing was full of praise for three fan favorites: goalscorers Callens and…
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