New York City Football Club Goals: Rodríguez 51’
Seattle Sounders Goals: Ruidiaz 28’
Quick Read
New York City Football Club were on the comeback trail Wednesday night as they took on Seattle Sounders in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions League tie. Raul Ruidiaz opened the scoring in the 28th minute. The equalizer on the night came via a well-worked team goal finished by Santiago Rodríguez in the 51stminute. NYCFC battled valiantly in the second half, creating a number of high-quality chances but could not find the required goals and that saw Seattle advance to the final.
Match Recap
New York City Football Club knew the task at hand heading into Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions League second leg against Seattle Sounders.
Trailing 3-1 from the first meeting at Lumen Field seven days ago Head Coach Ronny Deila made one change to the starting XI as Nicolás Acevedo replaced Keaton Parks.
A feisty clash, the game started at a quick pace as both teams sought to establish dominance on the ball.
The first major chance for NYCFC would arrive in the 11th minute via Thiago Andrade. His headed effort – a consequence of Malte Amundsen’s fine cross – lacked the power to beat Stefan Frei in goal.
In the 22nd minute, a smart interception by Talles Magno allowed him to play Taty Castellanos in on goal, but his effort rolled past the post.
The game’s first goal would eventually arrive in the 28th minute and it would be scored by the visitors after Raul Ruidiaz finished a cross into the box.
As half-time approached Seattle almost added a second when a turnover high up the field resulted in a chance for Ruidiaz, but Sean Johnson did well to turn his effort behind.
The second period brought one change for the hosts as Gabriel Pereira stepped in for Acevedo as NYCFC pushed for goals.
Their wish was granted just five minutes into the half when some neat combination play down the left allowed Thiago Andrade to pull it back to Taty Castellanos.
His cute dummy teed up Santiago Rodríguez to fire low and hard past Frei to tie the scores up on the night.
At the other end, a quick breakaway from Seattle saw Jordan Morris exchange passes with Cristian Roldan. The forward fired a shot at goal and it was brilliantly cleared off the line by Thiago Martins.
In the 63rd minute, Martins would then earn a chance to add his name to the scoresheet when he connected to Pereira’s corner, but his effort was parried by Frei.
NYCFC were now fully in the ascendency and in the 68th minute, a cross from Malte Amundsen found its way to the back post and Talles Magno – his effort again well saved by Frei.
In the 73rd minute, a clever ball in behind by Tayvon Gray gave Castellanos the chance to square it to Talles Magno, but he could not convert from close range.
Moments later another dangerous corner landed at the feet of Thiago Andrade but his shot was blocked on the line by Kelyn Rowe.
In the 76th minute, Ronny Deila turned to his bench and introduced Héber and Keaton Parks in place of Alfredo Morales and Malte Amundsen.
The next attempt would come for Thiago Martins after he rose highest from a well-taken corner by Pereira in the 85th minute. He headed down and hard but it was well parried by Frei in goal.
Chances were now flooding in for NYCFC and in the 88th minute, a clever cross from Keaton Parks carried towards the Seattle goal and was clawed away by Frei.
Pushing right until the final whistle, an acrobatic effort from Castellanos found its way into the path of Pereira just yards out but he could not adjust his feet in time to convert.
Unfortunately, Rodríguez's goal would be the last of the evening and confirm a 1-1 result on the night and a 4-2 aggregate success for Seattle - allowing them to advance to the Champions League final.
Player of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City Football Club is a meeting with Real Salt Lake on Sunday, April 17 at Yankee Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST (YES Network/NYCFC.com/radio).
