JAMACIA-QUEENS, NY – In a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 matchup between NYCFC and the New England Revolution, an Extra-Time goal from The Pigeons secures a win and sees New York City advance into the Quarterfinals.
Extra-Time goal secures NYCFC win over New England
The quiet first half sees opportunity on both sides
NYCFC would manage the first shot on goal of the game, winning a 13-minute corner to be taken by Andres Jasson. With Jasson floating his cross towards the penalty spot, Thiago Andrade would come flying in for a free header bounced on goal and initially saved by Djordje Petrovic before a secondary save from the Serbian to keep the score even in the early going.
17-year-old Esmir Bajraktarevic would come close to grabbing a Revolution lead in the 44th minute as he met a cross just inside the area from Justin Rennicks but hit it directly at NYCFC goalkeeper Luis Barraza to close out the half.
Neither team can secure the victory in Fulltime
New England would spark the second half in the 49th minute, earning a throw-in fairly deep into NYCFC’s defensive territory. A slight turnover off the throw would be won back by Damián Rivera who would dribble just inside the 18-yard box and cut to his right to avoid defenders, would have his shot just saved by Barraza and pushed inches wide of the post.
Come the 58th minute, it would be Thiago Martins possessing deep for NYCFC and playing a perfect ball between two Revolution defenders into the run of Malte Amundsen. With one touch and a cross from Amundsen, Talles Magno would rise to meet it with his headed attempt once again saved by Petrovic.
An extra-Time goal from the Pigeons’ secures a win
It wouldn’t take long for NYCFC to break through as Valentín Castellanos picked the ball off a bad touch from New England’s Andrew Farrell in the 94-minute of ET. Breaking towards goal with Farrell chasing, Castellanos would slide the ball across the box to Héber who would subsequently flick a pass toward Santiago Rodríguez. Dribbling between two defenders, an off-balance shot from Rodríguez would finally get beyond Petrovic to give NYCFC a 1-0 lead.
One! Two! Three!
After 90 minutes of knocking, @NYCFC finds their goal. The home team takes the lead against @NERevolution in extra-time thanks to Santiago Rodríguez 🎯
1-0 | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/PNUyN2Iliq
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 26, 2022
New England wouldn’t go down easy, however, almost answering in the 96th minute as Matt Polster swung a ball out to the wing for outside back Brandon Bye. With a ball crossed at the near post, a touch-on from Rennicks would wind up in the net but would quickly be canceled out due to offside.
The Revolution would start the second period of Extra Time earning an opportunity in the 119th minute as Farrell found substitute Wilfrid Kaptoum on the wing, who then beat an NYCFC defender to the touchline. An off-balance cross from Kaptoum would just barely float near post for a headed effort by Gustavo Bou which required another crucial save from Barraza and would mark New England’s last chance to draw back even.
Last Word: Who’s ready for a New York Darby in USOC?
While lots of primary starters were rested on both sides the offensive output was somewhat lacking in the first half. This was especially true for NYCFC, who fell one shot short of doubling New England in shots and shots on goal. There we’re definitely chances for both teams that should have been capitalized on but also some outstanding performances from both goalkeepers in Petrovic and Barraza who played major roles in bringing this game to Extra Time.
Just barely pulling out the victory, NYCFC will advance to the US Open Cup Quarterfinals to face local rivals New York Red Bulls for an exciting New York Derby set to be played during the Cup. This Quarterfinals matchup will be hosted at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ on June 22.
