HARRISON, NJ – In the 23rd MLS rendition of the Hudson River Derby, NYCFC prevail over NYRB on a late second-half goal from Taty Castellanos giving the Pigeons their first road win in New Jersey since 2017.
RBNY attack early but can’t find a first-half lead
In the 19th minute following some back-and-forth play, it would be the Red Bulls finding the match’s first opportunity as Cristian Casseres Jr. played a pass forward for Lewis Morgan who then flicked it on to Luquinhas. With Morgan’s pass just overhit it would be Alexander Callens stepping up for the interception and nodding a pass into traffic where the ball bounced around eventually falling for Casseres.
With one dribble move around Alfredo Morales and a shot from 20 yards out, Casseres would force a diving save from NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson to keep the scoreline even.
Safe hands 🧤 @SeanJohnGK
🔴 0-0 🗽 | #RBNYvNYC pic.twitter.com/5S0xkpMihK
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) July 17, 2022
The Red Bulls would find another picturesque chance in the 37th minute with the ball working its way to Frankie Amaya inside the center circle before a well-played pass over the top of NYCFC’s defensive line was chased down by Luquinhas. Working his way in from the left wing, Luquinhas would quickly switch the ball onto his right foot creating a small pocket of space for a shot on goal parried away by Johnson but right at the feet of New York native Dylan Nealis.
Now open on goal with NYCFC defenders approaching and Johnson having recovered from the initial save, Nealis could do nothing with the bouncing rebound except launch a shot into the crowd.
NYCFC would cap the first half with an opportunity of their own as things slowed with Maxi Moralez lethargically dribbling before springing to action with a ball played over New York’s defense for Taty Castellanos. With the Argentinian making a solid run and arriving to the ball before any Red Bull defenders, he’d set up almost parallel with the touchline to put a dribble move on Sean Nealis.
With Nealis in his rearview, Castellanos now one-on-one with Carlos Coronel would push a shot at the near post and into the side netting to send this match into halftime still even.
Castellanos gives NYCFC a late winner
Continuing where he left off, Castellanos would find NYCFC’s first opportunity following halftime as the 66th minute struck with a long-ball played towards Castellanos and knocked down by the Red Bulls defense. As the ball bounced towards Talles Magno, he would flick it up to try and prevent Amaya from swiping it but subsequently played the ball back to Castellanos at the edge of the area. His back toward goal, Castellanos would load up with an overhead kick managing to get the shot on target and forcing an alert palm save from Coronel.
TATY SO CLOSE ON THE BIKE 🚲😮 @TatyCaste11anos pic.twitter.com/SboWHSMAxw
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) July 17, 2022
The breakthrough would finally come in the 69th minute as the ball started on the left wing and worked its way across the field to find Santiago Rodríguez in space and now dribbling at goal. Opting for a chipped pass over the top, Rodríguez would pick out Castellanos with an almost perfectly weighted ball. Stabbing at the ball for a one-time volley, Castellanos would just barely get the attempt on net and beyond Coronel to give NYCFC a 1-0 advantage.
Sheesh 😮💨 @TatyCaste11anos pic.twitter.com/hMtsxuC9hN
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) July 17, 2022
With NYCFC now taking a lead, things would settle until about the 85th minute as the Pigeons won a free kick about 5 yards outside the Red Bulls’ offensive area. Eventually lining up to take the opportunity would be Callens and Moralez and as the clock ticked down it would be Maxi to actually send the ball in. As Moralez managed to get the shot going at the top right corner it would be just plucked out by Coronel with a very well-timed save before a follow-up header from Callens was cleared off the line by Daniel Edelman to keep New York within one.
Huge save and clearance off the line!!! ❌ pic.twitter.com/IaUbkYTRnQ
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) July 17, 2022
As the official tacked on 5 minutes of added time to wrap up this battle, New York would manage what felt like a barrage of chances compared to just one from New York City. However, it would be the boys in Blue emerging with the win as the final whistle was blown to give NYCFC a 1-0 victory during Major League Soccer’s Rivalry Week.
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