January 18, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – New York City FC News Release
New York City Football Club kicked off our 2023 preseason schedule with a clash against Minnesota United.
Limbering up ahead of the new campaign, the two sides met in a friendly contest with Head Coach Nick Cushing blending youth and experience in Orlando.
As the squad eased back into action after the winter break, minutes were shared around the roster with First Team, NYCFC II and Academy stars all earning gametime.
Minnesota carved the first chance in the early exchanges, as Luis Barraza did well to keep out an in-swinging set-piece. NYCFC responded with a Matías Pellegrini effort over the bar, following good work down the left from Thiago Andrade and Malte Amundsen.
The Boys in Blue dictated the play in the opening 45, patient in our build-up, while the defense were alert to halt counter-attacks.
Keaton Parks went close and Pellegrini also fired off-target, while Barraza produced two fine stops in quick succession, saving well from distance and from point-blank range, as the two sides headed into the break goalless.
City were handed the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot shortly after the restart, when Jonathan Jimenez was upended, but Andres Jasson was denied twice with both his effort and rebound saved.
Minnesota then saw an effort creep wide before Cody Mizell was called into action to thwart a one-on-one, forcing the striker to miss the target.
Both sides pressed for a late winner and it was Adrian Heath’s side who found it with the last kick of the game, when Tani Oluwaseyi latched onto a loose ball and converted to snatch victory.
Despite the late setback – a harsh one to take given City’s performance – the encounter proved a useful first test of 2023 for the Boys in Blue.
NYCFC XI: Barraza; Amundsen, Martins, Chanot, Gray; Morales, Carrizo, Parks; Thiago, Segal, Pellegrini
NYCFC will kick off the 2023 MLS season on Feb. 25 when we visit Nashville SC at GEODIS Park (4:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
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