It was a beautiful day for soccer in the Bronx, despite what New England Coach Bruce Arena would later claim about the weather. Sunny and only 83 degrees, conditions were primed for NYCFC to shake off their winless streak under new coach, Nick Cushing, and the team lived up to the occasion beating the New England Revolution, 4-2.
NYCFC would strike first when Talles Magno was brought down on a hard tackle by Andrew Farrell in the box. Magno would step up and coolly take the penalty kick slotting it past Djordje Petrovic to put the home side up one in the tenth minute. New England would strike back just eight minutes later off a nice cutback play by Sebastian Lletget finding Gustavo Bou wide open for the shot and leveling the teams at 1.
Jul 9, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (43) is fouled by New England Revolution defender Andrew Farrell (2) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
New England would shoot themselves in the foot two more times in the half giving up two more penalty kicks off hard fouls in the box and resulting in Farrell being sent off for two yellow cards just four minutes before half. Valentin Castellanos would score only one of the shots and NYCFC entered halftime a man up and a goal up.
Jul 9, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) is fouled by New England Revolution defender Andrew Farrell (2) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Cushing would be forced to make a change at half after Maxi Moralez received an injury shortly before the break. The new coach turned to Gabriel Pereria as the replacement and Pereria would live up to the challenge scoring a beautiful goal off some wonderful skill in the box four minutes after the second half began. The Young Brazilian mad a beautiful cut back in front of goal faking out Petrovic and Henry Kessler so badly that both of them fell down. Petrovic could only futilely lunge for the ball as Pereria used his right foot to score. Indeed, if Pereria keeps scoring goals like this and the thunderbolt he scored in the game against Cincinnati, it will be hard for Cushing to leave him on the bench much longer.
Jul 9, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Gabriel Pereira (38) moves the ball past New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (99) for a goal during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Gabriel Pereira (38) kicks the ball for a goal as New England Revolution midfielder Thomas McNamara (26) and defender Jon Bell (23) defend during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
New England would not be counted out however and would score again in the 77th minute with DeJuan Jones finding Bou after a good bit of skill to set up the play by Carlos Gil.
It was Castellanos who would put the nail in the coffin for New England though in the 82nd minute pouncing on a saved shot and sending the ball into the goal with flair. Castellanos jumped into the stands in celebration and set the crowd roaring with delight. It was a bittersweet moment for most fans as that may just be the last home goal scored by Castellanos in a NYCFC kit. The talented Argentine and current leader of the MLS Golden Boot race has expressed his desire to play in Europe and looks to be sold this transfer window. Post match he said his future could be decided in the coming days or within the week.
Cushing was happy with the team’s performance after the match. “Obviously, we got the win. For us, it’s about getting back to winning here at home. We have a really good record here, and obviously drew in the previous two games here. Even though we thought we played well, we’re ready to get back to our winning ways. Really happy with the performance today. We created a lot of chances, maybe we could have scored more goals. But to score four at home and to take the three points, we’re happy with that.”
But for the new gaffer there is still work to be done. “For me, as Head Coach, it’s really refreshing that our players have a real enthusiasm and a real desire to continue to improve. I was walking through the dressing room after the game. We’re happy, but we don’t want to give up two goals at home. Nobody wants to give up two goals at home. So, we’ll get back on the training pitch, back in the video room, and we’ll work to become a better team.”
Bruce Arena complained post-match about everything but his team’s performance blaming the referees, the pitch and the weather for their team’s loss and even asking for an apology.
“Somebody owes our players and coaches an apology,” Arena said in a post-match press conference. “I’m waiting to hear that.”
Well here it goes. I am sorry, Bruce. You lost and for now, Nick Cushing wins.
