NEW YORK CITY, NY – In a return to Yankee Stadium featuring Nick Cushing now in charge in the Bronx, Colorado and NYCFC draw 1-1 with a second-half goal for each side as the two clubs matched up for the first time since 2019.
All is quiet through the first half
NYCFC would spark the first opportunity of the night in the 8th minute as Alexander Callens played a ball for Talles Magno which the Brazilian chased down and pushed up the wing. With a step over into the box and a short chipped cross from Magno, a Maxi Moralez header would be hit directly at Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough for a simple save.
Outside of a potential penalty kick for NYCFC waived off by VAR in the 11th minute, things would settle down until the 35th minute when Nicolás Acevedo found Talles Magno once again working down the wing. After a few touches from Magno well defended by Lalas Abubakar, a pass slid across the top of the box would find a breaking Taty Castellanos for a shot that rifled off the bar to keep the scoreline even.
Colorado managed the final opportunity of the half in the 40th minute with Lucas Esteves and Bryan Acosta playing give-and-go at the edge of the box to create room for a cross. But with the pass hit low and hard in front of goal and into a mass of NYCFC defenders and Colorado attackers, the initial cross would be cleared away with Gyasi Zardes inches from the ball.
Colorado and NYCFC draw 1-1
We're back underway!#NYCvCOL pic.twitter.com/NVegCJmoxI
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 19, 2022
The opening opportunity of the second half would come in the 64th minute with NYCFC winning a corner to be taken by Santiago Rodríguez. Hitting the ball near post, Rodríguez picked out Alfredo Morales for a headed attempt just wide of goal and into the side netting.
Colorado would follow this with a 68th minute counter-attack as Michael Barrios received the ball on the run and between two New York City defenders. Dribbling around Callens and pushing towards a goal, Thiago Martins couldn’t recover leaving Barrios to slot it home and grab the Rapids a 1-0 lead.
Now that's how you open your account for the season 👏#NYCvCOL pic.twitter.com/oeFoqDojnR
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) June 19, 2022
However, it wouldn’t take long for NYCFC to answer finding themselves on the attack again in the 71st minute with Moralez dribbling the ball between a few Colorado players to create space. Deep into the midfield, Moralez would find that space to float a cross into the box for two NYCFC attackers making runs. But it would be Magno settling the ball with his chest before a one-time volley slammed beyond Yarbrough made it 1-1.
Next level from @talles_magno2 🤤 #VamosNYC pic.twitter.com/SPOUqHglyK
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) June 19, 2022
The last major opportunity of the match would come from NYCFC in the 79-minute with a deflected Colorado passing rolling to the feet of Moralez. With one touch and a pass over Colorado’s defensive line, Moralez would pick out Castellanos holding himself just onside with the perfect run. But one-on-one with Yarbrough, Castellanos couldn’t flick a volley on target and put the ball wide of goal to maintain the 1-1 scoreline.
Last Word: NYCFC unbeaten in the last 9 league matches
Despite the loss of Ronny Deila, Nick Cushing stepped up and did an admirable job for NYCFC who performed well and arguably deserved more than just a draw. However, credit to Colorado who kept possibly the hottest team in MLS off the scoreboard for almost 75 minutes and we’re able to grab the lead for a short period while playing away from home.
Definitely looking to see some more offensive production from New York City but for a first game back from the international break under a new head coach this was a very solid start. Particularly for Talles Magno who stood out almost every time he had the ball earning Player of the Match honors for his chested volley but also for his dominant attacking play and creating opportunities for teammates.
