Fans who made it out to Citi Field on Sunday evening got treated to a nine-goal match and a stunning comeback win by New York City Football Club. Five different New York City players found the back of the net and City climbed back into a playoff position in the East with the win.
NYCFC dominated in every statistical category, outshooting Toronto 22-8, but Toronto were more effective with their chances. Jesus Jimenez scored two first half goals for the visiting side taking advantage of Toronto’s only shots on goal in the first half. City were able to pull one back near the end of the half with a goal from Taty Castellanos to pull them within striking distance.
Apr 24, 2022; New York, NY, New York, NY, USA; New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) heads the ball against Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley (4) during the first half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The real drama started in the second half as Thiago Andrade leveled up the score just four minutes in followed by goals from Santiago Rodriguez and Keaton Parks at nearly five minute intervals until NYCFC lead four to two. Toronto seemed lost in the New York onslaught and the game looked close to getting out of hand when Gabriel Pereira scored on his first touch of the game in the 75th minute.
Apr 24, 2022; New York, NY, New York, NY, USA; New York City FC midfielder Keaton Parks (55) celebrates his goal against Toronto FC goalkeeper Alex Bono (25) during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2022; New York, NY, New York, NY, USA; New York City FC midfielder Gabriel Pereira (38) celebrates his goal against Toronto FC with fans during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto would regroup however and Deandre Kerr would score off a free kick in the eighty seventh minute. Kerr bloodied Heber with a clash of heads in the scoring effort and NYCFC were forced to play with 10 men for a bit as they lined up a replacement for the attacker.
As soon as the replacement was on the pitch however, Alfredo Morales was shown a second yellow card and sent off. NYCFC were down to ten men and Michael Bradley capitalized almost instantly to bring Toronto back to 5-4 in the last minute of regular time. NYCFC was able to hold off Toronto through the end of the game, however, and earn the full three points at home
“I would rather with 5-4 than 1-0. That is more fun for everybody. Maybe except me,” Ronny Deila said after the game.
Indeed, it was a very fun game to watch. It was the first time NYCFC had ever come back from a two-goal deficit to win a game and the team seems to be running on all cylinders in the attack. MLS teams will not want to face them if they keep scoring at this pace. Eleven goals in two games is impressive to be sure. Now if they can just get some key components in the defense healthy they could be truly tough to beat.
