RBNY @ FCC
NYCFC ended the 2024 season for FCC in the playoffs, now they open facing their Hudson River rival. Harper goes long it is turned away Cam then takes the throw in as it was headed out of touch. Kubo the ever dangerous player for FCC is tripped up by Harper. Near the edge of the area 10 yards past it into the top of the 6, Choupo-Moting clears into Valencia, Kubo fouled more or less the same spot on the other side of the area. Kubo & Evander over the ball, Sean Nealis gets up to clear it. Kubo gets forward, to the area pulls it back not at the midfield, they gave away a a good 45 yards there now below the center circle. FCC wins a throw, Yedlin with a dummy leaves his mark behind, still has some speed. Forsberg takes it from a poor pass by Kubo, NY loses then regains it down the left side Edelman for Valencia it is defended out for a deep throw. Valencia reaches the 6 and the GK one hops it. Flores with a long lead ball for Yedlin blocked by Valencia and NY has a goal kick. Harper for Valencia, covered by Yedlin, it goes over the end line for FCC. Red Bull get the goal kick and quickly lost it again. Harper with a quick restart from Choupo-Moting goes side netting. So many passes are being lost by both teams through pressing. Evander steals it in the area in the air and Nealis again up to the task. Denkey with a fast shot off the post but he was off, left alone for just a second as Evander fed him with a circus pass. Chouop-Moting the target of the restart, lays it back gets it back and Flores holds him off with his shoulder, goal kick. Coronel never should have gotten that ball as FCC challenges it and NY is able to clear it out. FCC into the area, headed out they recover, again a high clearance and FCC still hold. A big ball to Choupo-Moting he controld it then loses it. A long ball for Morgan gets NY a deep throw about 25 yards up the field. Intended for Hack the throw is lost and FCC has it going forward, into the area, turned away by NY, FCC again in and NY heads it out. Kubo shields the throw gets to the area and again Nealis cleans it up. NY getting forward seeking Forsberg, it is off but they hold and get it across the field, a give and go with Cam & Choupo-Moting is just wide, from just beyond the arc. Valencia with hustle takes the ball it’s from Harper to Morgan, Harper into the area as Celentano grabs it up. Forsberg with an arcing high cross allows a defender to head it away, NY takes it back and hold in their defensive end, they lose it once crossing midfield. Hack now for Forsbeg, Choupo-Moting drops for Valencia then calls the foul on Choupo-Moting. Forsberg over the ball from 15 yards and 10 off the touchline, FCC defends it and then win a throw. Yedlin overlaps for Evander who goes near post and Nealis again, to the ground sends it out for a corner. Evander to the center of the area, a foul called with Valencia taking a blow over the top. Evander holds off a pair, none committed to tackle even in the area, he pulls back, turns, puts it to the foot of Yedlin from 20 yards, defended out in the 6, so dangerous. Forsberg from Edelman and they argue it, maybe a caution? Hadebe ducked a yellow here. Forsberg over the ball from the top right of the area, maybe 2 yards out, into the 6, to a sea of blue Eldelman feeds Choupo-Moting, Morgan in to the area and it is cleared to the center circle. NY goes up the right side 2x, each time losing it and regaining then all the way back to the GK. Forsberg dummies to Morgan now Stroud and it is lost , Hack steps up for the steal now at the feet of Emil for Morgan, to Harper now Lewis at the end line, back to Choupo-Moting and it is saved as he rolled it at the goal, hardly enough on it but not a bad idea. NY trying to play it out the back and FCC contesting every pass, stop playing it back, too dangerous if you lose it in your defensive third. NY holds and have strung together a number of passes near midfield, now to the GK, his long ball out has NY win a whistle as Morgan is fouled. Hack over the top Yedlin turns it back, Emil with a ball for Edelman, Valencia trades with Choupo-Moting then give it away. Edelman with a steal gives to Emil then into their back field, in to the 6, the GK has it. Choupo-Moting has a look, Morgan down gets a shot off, then Forsberg off the post. Morgan will not get a penalty, maybe a foul for his high kick, he remains down for a bit. Both players with feet at chest height, no call is the only call. Our first look at fellow Long Island native and St John’s Soccer alum, Tim Parker comes from the bench. Yedlin on the wing for Evander back to Evander, Puko is blocked, great ball movement .Harper sends in a cross it crosses the end line.
Great work on the left wing is undone by a far too long ball in from Valencia. Harper gets to a ball in and shields for a goal kick. Forsberg runs down an inaccurate long ball and gives up a throw. Yedlin loses it to Valencia as he cannot settle a ball off his chest. Kubo, Denkey and Evander look good but NY breaks it up. FCC again but Kubo was off. Choupo-Moting to Stroud then cleared out NY holds the ball. Evander takes down Forsberg. Yedlin drops his mark. Celentano grabs it up with no issue, wasted chance. Edelman with a great steal, to Morgan too strong for Choupo- Moting. Yedlin taken down, no call and Valencia gets if forward, Emil has it in to Morgan beats his man then Robinson blocks his shot. Yedlin is up now he was hit on the back of his foot, VAR says no PK. Corner for NY, Forsberg sends to the top of the 6 and the GK has it easily in some traffic. Evander gives through the 6 and Yedlin gets on the end of it but just wide, great effort though. Robinson beats Choupo-Moting gets the goal kick. FCC with a quick throw has it near the area with numbers, no shot and it is lost, they get it back near midfield. Edelman, then Hack with the foul on Evander and is is cautioned for it. DFK will be a shot as it is just beyond the arc to the right side. Over the ball is Evander, high and wide for the far post. Denkey loses it to a trio of Red Bulls now for Morgan in the area, he and Forsberg are certain the GK got a touch on it but it remains a goal kick. NY right back with it Eilie to Stroud now to Valencia who goes off the back of Yedlin for a corner. Morgan still riding the ref. Emil to take it he puts it near post top of the 6 then out for a NY throw. Stroud long over the top for Harper it gets played away. NY throw no movement off the ball as it is held at the touchline a NY player is down on the near sideline. Offside is called as Eile finally gets up. Eile suffered being stepped on and a yellow issued, studs up could have been a red. Choupo-Moting suffers a high kick DFK from about 40 yards, he puts it left side above the 6 to Hack, he heads it well. Down and Celentano gets down to it. Stroud and Valencia carry it in to the center for Forsbeg Into Morgan who gets it back and lotsa height to the ball and the GK brings it in. Kubo goes in, off Eile for a corner. Evander to put it back in play Morgan on Robinson is a big height mismatch. Yedlin gets it near half field and goes to the ‘keeper. A long ball for Denkey he nods it over the onrushing Coronel and it is 1-0 at 70’. From just inside the half, Yedlin with the pass, Eile was unable to get around on the ball. Kubo and Evander are out on goes Baird. The goal was hardly the most promising of chances but it was finished by the most expensive transfer in MLS history this is why they paid the big bucks to get him. Eile with a foul at 74’. Edelman with a harsh tackle he remains down, Denkey helps him up. Coronel well off his line plays it easily away. Back to the NY GK again, the pressure of FCC cause a NY throw. FCC putting something together again with Baird and Denkey combining, now far back to Robinson, back again to the GK. Nealis out jumps his adversary. Denkey in on goal and just wide feeds Engel and squanders a great chance. NY subs at the ready Carballo and Hall in for Stroud and Hack, clearly offensive moves. Choupo-Moting holds and NY still has it in their offensive third, now into their backfield top Coronel with 10’ to go and down by one, get it forward. Edleman for Morgan he loses it but presses and it is partially cleared, now driven up and played out by Nealis. FCC throw just over midfield. Choupo-Moting past his defender gets off a half chance, right at the GK. FCC into the area, Denkey for Baird, back to him, a curling shot partially deflected and the 16 million dollar man is denied a brace. Coronel with the ball 2x bumped by Denkey, no call? Harper and Carballo trade the ball, then a lead ball for Harper too far ahead. Carmon in for Edelman at 84’. Denkey for an open Yedlin who feeds Baird at the back post where there are 2 blue shirts and just wide. Emil with a go on goal is off the mark. Coronel, again off his line, clears and wins a throw. Harper ridden down in front of Noonan, caution to Baird. Players still being left open by NY. Morgan for Valencia, Harper takes it down, his shot well off into FCC. Less than a minute in regular time and NY are not pushing it forward. Extra time is to be at least 5’. NY with a weak clear from Eile, leads to a great look, wins a corner, more time taken by the home side. Baird sends the kick high maybe 12 yards out just to the left and the first time strike leaves a player down for a bit. Morgan into the area, Robinson diving heads it away. Baird, Denkey, now to Baird again he goes back and now a switch taken by NY, they gotta get it forward. Choupo-Moting it is lost and Yedlin plays it far and wide. From Coronel, Powell takes one for Carballo and a throw for FCC. Bucha out with 35 seconds. Engle ever hustling takes the ball as NY tried to defend in the corner finds Denkey in the area but he skies it. Final 1-0 FCC.