NYCFC Has Two Goals Overturned, Ousted From Leagues Cup in Shootout

Photo courtesy of frontrowsoccer.com

 

Article by Scott Churchson IG: @schurchson

Columnist and Host Spanglish World Networks, Spanglish Sports World

 

New York. - When I first gathered my thoughts on what to write for this article I had a ton of ideas running through my head. The excitement of PUMAS fans traveling from Mexico, LA, Houston and all over. Admitted Dodger fans and Astros fans putting their mutual contempt aside for a night to root for their favorite soccer team. That's the first thing I saw when I got to the stadium. This match got me hyped to true soccer energy of obsessed fans outside the states. I feed off that big time, and I was pumped!

 

And….then the rains came, putting a potential damper on what was supposed to be an impassioned August evening of inter league soccer. Fans waited patiently under the overhangs, save for a few fans running in the rain dressed as Luchadors with the PUMAS flag draped around their shoulders. You travel all the way across country, rain or shine you deserve to enjoy the delay.

 

It took a full three hours after it's scheduled 8pm start that the match FINALLY got underway. I found myself curious how the players would react to being forced to wait that long. However NY came out firing on all cylinders, controlling the pace of play and forcing UNAM to work out it's own end for much of the first half. A Keaton Parks goal in the 23rd minute was quickly overturned but did little to stop New York's attack.

 

UNAM felt sloppy for much of the first half, and seemed to struggle with the wet surfaces at Yankee Stadium. Poor footing on passes, slipping on the grass gave New York an edge it needed to take advantage of. Shots were 5-1 in favor of the Gents In Blue, but no score at the end of the half. In that aspect it reminded me of most any match the team has played outside the Bronx; control the attack, shots on goal, nothing to show for it.

 

The second half started up similar to the first with NY pressing almost immediately and once again, ANOTHER overturned goal; this time Santiago Rodriguez.

 

Third time was the charm as a header from Taty Castellano in the 61st minute finally counted which gave NY the 1-0 edge. Pumas would return the favor when it scored in the 72 minute by Rogério to the delight of a crowd that oftentimes felt louder for a road team than a home team. Now I know what it’s like to be a Tampa Bay Rays fan at the Trop when the Yankees come to town.

 

In the end, as fate would have it, it came down to a shootout. I’m in the minority I think, but I love the drama. Love it in the NHL, love it here. In the end, the road team with the larger fan base won in a 3-2 shootout. During the press conference Ronny and all didn’t seem AS disappointed by the loss as I’ve seen in the past; having found pride in knowing they’ve grown from the experience and outplayed PUMAS largely from start to finish. If nothing else it allows them to focus their attention back on the regular season, and their Red Bull Arena “home” against Inter Miami on Saturday.