NYCFC defeat New England Revolution
New York, Yankee Stadium — New York City FC are preparing for a meeting with New England Revolution tonight.
Head Coach Ronny Deila has just one player on the absentee list, Brazilian forward Héber. The striker did celebrate returning to contact training but is still a month or two away from full match fitness.
Game notes:
Valentin Castellanos scored two goals and host New York City FC stymied the red-hot New England Revolution with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.
Maximiliano Moralez assisted on both goals as NYCFC (10-6-4, 34 points) improved to 8-2-1 at home. NYCFC is 5-1-2 in their past eight overall matches.
The setback halted New England’s four-game winning streak as well as its nine-match unbeaten stretch (8-0-1). The league-best Revolution (15-4-4, 49 points) were on the losing end for the first time since falling 3-2 to Toronto FC on July 7.
Second goal after 5th minutes of second half scored by @tatycaste11anos for @nycfc #NYCvNER #mls #balkanpress pic.twitter.com/DfCNIXV4uz
— Balkan Press (@balkanpressusa) August 29, 2021
New England dropped to 6-3-3 on the road.
NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson posted his sixth shutout of the season but was called on to make just one save.
New England All-Star goalkeeper Matt Turner made three saves.
NYCFC had a 19-12 edge in shots and put five on target. The Revolution placed just one shot on target — Adam Buksa’s left-footed long-range attempt in the 76th minute that was stopped by Johnson.
New England’s Gustavo Bou was wide left on a right-footed shot three minutes later.
Moralez and Castellanos teamed up in the 31st minute for the first goal. Moralez lofted a pass over the pack to a speeding Castellanos, who was in free to send a header past Turner.
The referee initially wiped out the goal, citing Castellanos was offside, but a video review displayed that the goal was valid.
The duo was at it again in the 55th minute. This time, Moralez delivered a stellar cross from the right wing. Castellanos was streaking toward the goal and volleyed the ball past Turner to make it 2-0.
New England’s best first-half scoring chance came in the 24th minute when Buksa snapped a close-range header. But NYCFC’s Jesus Medina immediately blocked the shot with his own head and the ball went just right of the net.
