New York City FC Goals: Fernández Mercau 70', Traoré 90+5'Â
Atlanta United Goals: Embolo 88'Â
Quick Read
New York City FC earned a dramatic 2-1 win over Atlanta at Citi Field on Wednesday, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Nico Fernández Mercau opened the scoring with a superb free kick in the 70th minute, before Breel Embolo equalized in the 88th minute. Substitute Bénie Traoré then delivered a winner in stoppage time, curling home a brilliant effort.
Match Recap
New York City FC were back in the World’s Borough on Wednesday night as they hosted Atlanta United at Citi Field.
The hosts arrived at the game fresh off a dramatic 2-2 draw in Orlando.
A fast start from Atlanta saw them register two looks at goal in the opening five minutes.
First, Júnior Alonso fired over from distance before Giuliano Galoppo fired wide from a good position.
The pressure continued in the 11th minute as Matthew Edwards saw a shot blocked by Tayvon Gray.
Alexey Miranchuk then drew an impressive save from Matt Freese in the 15th minute, before Miguel Almirón fired over.
Chances for Tristan Muyumba and Galoppo followed before Atlanta thought they had the lead through Breel Embolo.
The Swiss international headed the ball past Freese, but following a video review, the goal was ruled out for offside.
New York City FC responded with an ambitious effort from Alonso MartÃnez that did not trouble the goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, that would be the Costa Rican’s last involvement, as he was forced off through injury in the 25th minute, with Talles Magno replacing him.
In the 32nd minute, a brilliant save from Freese down to his left denied Muyumba. The midfielder tried to side-foot a daisy cutter into the bottom corner, but saw his effort tipped onto the post and cleared.
By far New York City’s best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute, after a quick throw facilitated a combination between Hannes Wolf and Nico Fernández Mercau, with the latter getting off a shot that drew a save from Lucas Hoyos.
The second half saw no changes for either side, but there was an early chance for Almirón that flew just wide.
Miranchuk then saw an effort blocked by Thiago Martins, before Andrés Perea almost broke the deadlock in style.
The midfielder was played in by Fernández Mercau after a 3v2 breakaway but saw his effort saved by Hoyos.
Head Coach Pascal Jansen opted to make a double change in the 64th minute, as Malachi Jones and Keaton Parks replaced Aiden O’Neill and AgustÃn Ojeda.
The hosts were now ramping up the pressure, and two minutes later, Kevin O’Toole fizzed a low effort from distance just past the post.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute, thanks to a moment of magic from Fernández Mercau. The playmaker whipped a brilliant free kick around the wall after Talles Magno was felled outside the box.
It was almost two in the 78th minute when Talles Magno played Jones in on goal, but Hoyos did well to block his effort.
Fernández Mercau almost doubled his tally minutes later after he exchanged passes with Wolf before firing off a venomous effort that Hoyos did well to hold.
Atlanta were now desperately chasing an equalizer, and in the 84th minute, a dangerous in-swinging cross flashed across Freese’s goal, with Embolo unable to apply the required touch.
They would find that equalizer in the 88th minute after Fafa Picault’s curled shot hit the post and Embolo headed in.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Jansen made one final change, introducing Bénie Traoré for Wolf.
That would prove to be an inspired change as, midway through stoppage time, Traoré produced a fantastic curled effort that left Hoyos with no chance, re-establishing New York City’s 2-1 lead.
There was still time for one last dash of drama as Picault stood the ball up for Embolo to head at goal. Thankfully, Freese was able to claim the ball.
That would prove to be the last chance of the game, confirming a memorable 2-1 win for New York City FC that kept their playoff hopes alive.
How We Lined Up
What's NextÂ
Next up for New York City FC is a game against CF Montréal on Saturday, October 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00PM ET.
