BRONX, NY. – It was an uphill battle for New York City FC just nine minutes into their Saturday afternoon game against Antonio Delamea and the New England Revolution. Then things got interesting.
Jesus Medina Brace Lifts NYCFC to win over 10-man Revs
Just two minutes into the game, the visitors got on the board. With NYCFC pushing up field, Andrew Farrell got the ball and cleared down field. Juan Fernando Caicedo ran onto the ball, jockeying with Sebastien Ibeagha for possession. Caicedo got space as Ibeagha fell down, and slotted the ball in the ground past Brad Stuver to score.
The game got turned on its head in the 9th minute. Valentin Castellanos ran onto a ball on a counter attack and got level with Antonio Delamea as the last defender. With the ball upfield and the players nearly level, Delamea took Castellanos down with a shove to the back with his right arm.
After a review, Delamea was given a red card. The half ended 1-0 with NYCFC having most of the ball but unable to create much danger.
The home side came alive after the 60th minute after Jesus Medina subbed into the game. Just minutes after Matt Turner denied him on a sliding shot to the near post, Medina tied the game in the 70th minute.
Alexander Ring sprung a counter attack on a long ball to Anton Tinnerholm who sent the ball into the box with multiple attackers in the box. Medina got to the ball first and chipped the ball over Turner and into the net.
Both sides traded chances in the final 20 minutes with New England getting a few counters going while NYCFC continued to get numbers into the attack up a man.
Despite some heroic defending from the Revs, NYCFC would get the win. Farrell committed a foul in the box in stoppage time on Alexandru Mitrita. VAR awarded the PK and Jesus Medina converted.
Jesus right on time ? #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/b5zHoeQOre
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) September 7, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Revs defensive mistakes: Bruce Arena’s side had a great start in the first 10 minutes with a goal, but key defensive mistakes caught them. Delamea’s red card made things difficult and Farrell’s foul in the box finished things off.
Super sub Medina: Jesus Medina was brought in as an attacking sub and immediately giving his side a boost with some venom in the attack. He gave them the win.
Playoff race: This result and the final goals for NYCFC had massive playoff implications. The Revs are in sixth and dropped points after scoring first. It wasn’t the best game for the home side, but they got a win and are currently top of the Eastern Conference.
