New York City FC Edged, 3-2, by Columbus Crew

June 14, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release

New York City FC suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against the Columbus Crew on Friday night. A dramatic first 45 minutes would see City reduced to ten men in the 39th minute when Mitja Ileni was shown a straight red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Despite that, the Boys in Blue would take a first-half lead in the 44th minute through Agustín Ojeda. Columbus would find an equalizer in the 48th minute through Christian Ramirez. The visitors would take the lead in the 53rd minute through Mo Farsi. The Crew would extend their lead from the penalty spot in the 65th minute through Cucho Hernández. City would reduce the deficit in the 86th minute through Santiago Rodríguez.

Match Recap

New York City FC were searching for a sixth successive victory on Friday night as they entertained the Columbus Crew in the Bronx.

Head Coach Nick Cushing made four changes to the side that overcame the San Jose Earthquakes last time out. At the top of the field, Alonso Martínez, fresh from his hat trick in the previous game, came in to replace Jovan Mijatovi?.

Elsewhere, defenders Kevin O’Toole and Thiago Martins were absent through injury and that allowed Strahinja Tanasijevi? and Mitja Ileni? to step in. The final change saw Agustín Ojeda replace compatriot Julián Fernández.

With kickoff pushed back an hour due to a weather delay, both teams were eager to fly out of the blocks when things did get underway. That fast start saw the Crew almost take the lead in the fifth minute after Diego Rossi’s low cross found Max Arfsten free at the back post – the winger denied by a brilliant goal-line clearance.

At the other end, a clever through ball by James Sands allowed Ojeda to scamper in behind and produce a low cross into the box. The ball looked destined to land on the foot of Martínez, but a last-minute interception denied the Costa Rican the chance to shoot.

City would come much closer in the 21st minute thanks to good play down the right involving Ileni?, Keaton Parks, and Hannes Wolf. The trio exchanged passes until Wolf was able to get off a low shot that tested Patrick Schulte at his near post.

The Crew would respond with an attack of their own as Arfsten turned provider for Rossi. The Uruguayan’s overlapping run was rewarded with a well-timed pass, and although he was able to get a shot off he was denied by Matt Freese.

With the game delicately balanced, Cushing’s side almost took the…