New York City Football Club Goals: Thiago Andrade 23’, Héber 31’, Chanot 76'
Rochester New York FC Goals: Baitz 47’
Quick Read
New York City Football Club were in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action on Wednesday night as they welcomed Rochester New York FC. The Boys in Blue would take the lead in the 23rd minute through Thiago Andrade before Héber added a second in the 31st minute. Rochester halved the deficit on the cusp of halftime through Jesus Baitz. Maxime Chanot reestablished the team's two goal advantage with a header from a corner in the 76th minute. That confirmed a 3-1 win for NYCFC and saw them move into the next phase of the competition.
Match Recap
New York City Football Club were keen to secure a place in the next round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday as they took on Rochester New York FC.
Head Coach Ronny Deila named a strong side as he made nine changes to the team that tied 0-0 with Sporting KC at the weekend, with SuperDraft selection Kevin O’Toole handed his first start of the season.
The visitors started the game brimming with energy as they sought to unsettle NYCFC with intense pressing and quick breakaways.
As the game began to settle the quality among the NYCFC ranks emerged. In the 18th minute Thiago Andrade saw an effort blocked on the edge of the box.
Five minutes later he would break the deadlock after combining well with compatriot Gabriel Pereira.
An angled pass from the right by Pereira found Thiago at the top of the box and he stroked a volley up and over the helpless goalkeeper
NYCFC began searching for a second with Brazilian striker Héber denied several times by dogged defending from Rochester.
Undeterred, the 30-year-old found success in the 31st minute after charging down the goalkeeper and deflecting an attempted clearance into the Rochester net.
He almost notched a second of the goal in the 41st minute, but it was well saved by Rochester goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu.
There would be a third goal in the game before halftime, and it would be for the visitors. Jesus Baitz was the beneficiary after pouncing on a loose ball at the back post midway through stoppage time.
The second period started with no changes for either side with the early exchanges seeing few real chances for either side.
In the 63rd minute, a quick breakaway allowed O’Toole to play Thiago in down the left. His cross found Pereira at the back post but he could not put his effort on target.
Deila would turn to his bench in the wake of Pereira’s chance and make a triply substitution that saw Talles Magno, Santiago Rodríguez, and Justin Haak replace Maxi Moralez, Thiago Andrade, and Héber.
Those changes would afford NYCFC a fantastic opportunity to stretch their lead almost instantly when a low cross from Pereira found Talles Magno eight yards out – the teenager unable to keep his attempt under the bar.
A third goal would arrive in the 76th minute and it would be scored by the team’s captain for the night, Maxime Chanot.
The experienced defender rose highest to meet a Rodríguez corner and power a header past the Rochester goalkeeper.
In the 80th minute, Nicolás Acevedo entered the game in place of Alfredo Morales as NYCFC sought to close things out and maintain their advantage.
Rochester continued to push for a goal and a route back into the contest and that forced Chanot into a fantastic goal-line clearance in the 82ndminute.
NYCFC were afforded the chance to add a fourth goal on the night when Andres Jasson earned a penalty in the 89th minute. Unfortunately, Gedion Zelalem saw his spot kick saved.
As the game entered injury time Pereira ended his night early after receiving a second yellow card from the referee. Rochester would earn a red card of their own deep into injury time when Preston Popp was shown a straight red card following an altercation with Jasson.
That was the last notable act of the evening and confirmed a 3-1 victory for NYCFC, securing their place in the next round of the competition.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, May 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00PM EST (YES Network/NYCFC.com/Radio).