New York City FC Goals: Thiago 1’, Castellanos 7’, 11’, Moralez 44’, Callens 52’, Medina 74'
D.C. United Goals:
Quick Read
New York City FC were back in the BX on Saturday night to face D.C. United. The Boys in Blue didn’t take long to find the net – Thiago Andrade scoring the second-fastest goal in club history after just 36 seconds. A brace from Taty Castellanos had NYCFC 3-0 up after 11 minutes before a fourth was secured through Maxi Moralez just before half-time. The second period would see the hosts add a fifth through defender Alex Callens – his first of the season - and a sixth through substitute Jesús Medina. That helped secure the biggest win in NYCFC history and push the club above the playoff line.
Match Recap
New York City FC were hoping for home-field advantage on Saturday night as they welcomed D.C. United to Yankee Stadium.
Head Coach Ronny Deila made two changes to the team that faced Atlanta United on Wednesday, with Tayvon Gray and Jesús Medina dropping out for Maxime Chanot and Santiago Roríguez.
NYCFC started the game at a lightning speed and that saw them take the lead inside the first minute of play.
A consequence of good work down the left by Malte Amundsen and Rodríguez, it would be the Dane that crossed it in for Thiago to steer past Bill Hamid.
The hosts kept their foot on the pedal, and things went from bad to worse for the visitors in the 7th minute.
This time it was a long kick downfield by Sean Johnson that his opposite number Hamid failed to adequately clear.
That allowed Taty Castellanos to pounce on the loose ball and loft it over a helpless Hamid from 35 yards out.
Eager for more goals, NYCFC wouldn’t have to wait long and secured a third of the evening in the 11th minute.
Arriving again via a defensive error from D.C. United, this time it was Steve Birnbaum that had problems after he slipped when trying to receive the ball.
Seizing on the opportunity with no hesitation was Castellanos, and he drove at goal before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
At the other end, a rare foray forward for D.C. United saw them create arguably their best chance of the half via a high looping ball that bounced around the penalty box before Johnson acrobatically tipped a header over.
The Boys in Blue continued to dictate proceedings, however, and fashioned several quick breakaways that were just missing a final touch. That pressure would eventually tell just before half-time with a fourth goal for NYCFC in the 44th minute.
Another flowing move allowed for Castellanos to attempt an audacious bicycle kick that Hamid could not hold onto. On hand to tap home the rebound was Maxi Moralez – the Argentine netting NYCFC’s 22 first-half goal of the season.
The second half saw a similar level of control exerted by NYCFC, and they would add a fifth in the 52ndminute. Amundsen was once again proving an attacking outlet down the left, and his devilish delivery found its way onto the head of Alex Callens to nod home.
Ronny Deila saw an opportunity to make changes in the 58th minute, introducing Héber and Tayvon Gray for Callens and Castellanos. The Brazilian had his first real look at goal in the 69th minute when a smart pass from Rodríguez allowed him a shot at goal – his effort straight at Hamid.
Deila completed his allocation of substitutions in the 71st minute by introducing Gedion Zelalem, Talles Magno, and Jesús Medina for Alfredo Morales, Thiago, and Moralez.
Medina would only need wait a few minutes to add his name to the scoresheet with the sixth of the night. The Paraguayan collected a pass at the top of the box from Gray and fired a low effort through Hamid.
it was almost seven in the 80th minute after slick combination play afforded Amundsen the chance to square it to an unmarked Talles Magno. Unfortunately, a vital touch from Tony Alfaro diverted it away from the Brazilian.
That meant Medina's goal would prove to be the last of the evening, a memorable one, in which NYCFC recorded the biggest win in club history.
Heineken Man of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM EST (YES Network/NYCFC.com/Radio).
