October 6, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
New York City FC II News Release
New York City FC II suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Huntsville City FC on the final day of the regular season. City controlled large portions of the game but fell behind in the 32nd minute thanks to a goal from Woobens Pacius. City battled until the final whistle, creating a number of high-quality chances in the process, but ultimately were unable to find a breakthrough. Despite a disappointing result on Decision Day, the final standings confirmed City’s place in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs for the first time in Club history.
Match Recap
New York City FC II hosted Huntsville City FC on MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day, knowing they stood on the cusp of making history by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in Club history.
Pilkington made three changes to the side that overcame FC Cincinnati 2 last time out. Piero Elias was suspended, and that meant Ronald Arévalo came into the side. Joining Arévalo in the starting XI were Rio Hope-Gund and Tomás Romero, who replaced Klevis Haxhari and Alex Rando respectively.
City’s opponents had already seen their playoff hopes dashed but arrived determined to try and spoil the party, and almost engineered a dream start with a chance in the first minute after Jonathan Bolanos rounded Romero – the Huntsville attacker ultimately failing to convert.
The hosts responded with a spell of pressure and almost took the lead in the 15th minute through Jonathan Shore. The midfielder’s dazzling run through the middle ended with a shot that only narrowly missed the target.
With games going elsewhere, the table was constantly shifting as goals across the Eastern Conference reshuffled the pack.
As the game approached the half-hour mark, Arévalo was given the ball on the right in a dangerous area. The winger made his way into the box and attempted to deceive the keeper with a near-post shot on his left foot that hit the side netting.
Despite City’s pressure, Huntsville took the lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute after a clearance from Samuel Owusu deflected into the path of Woobens Pacius – the winger firing a shot past Romero.
City almost found the perfect response after producing a high turnover of their own, but Jonathan Jiménez could not keep his shot under the crossbar.
The Boys in Blue would come even closer in the 39th minute after a brilliant run down the left wing from Jiménez allowed him to find Máximo Carrizo in the box – the…
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