NYCFC v Union
After some housekeeping due to a tear in the net, the broadcast from right at kickoff is delayed. Gazdag, the leading goal getter in Union history has just been sold off for 4+ million, referred to as a trade for $?
DFK over the top, NY gets it outside, lofted back to the NY goal and it is on the top netting. Great three passes get the ball in the Union defensive third then tackled away maybe 10 yards of the endline, NY very deep throw. It is lost then recovered Wolf loses it, gives up a deep throw coming out. Union beats the pressure and get it outside, now across midfield and forward NY moves it around a bit now get back into their offensive half but the Moralez pass is taken away, NY has it then loses it again all at midfield. Union hold near the circle, look forward and lose it, NY with a lead ball for Martinez, he finds Ilinic, his effort is far and wide of the goal. Union getting forward, the pass by Sullivan a bit behind though a shot is taken and blocked, now for NY Ojeda loses it as he looks to make a move into the area, NY has it now to their GK. Union are chasing the ball down, NY may have just beaten it but no, lost in their half, they recover fast and lose it again. So many players in the same 10 -20 yards it is tough to get anything done. Harriel breaks it up for a throw in at the bottom of the circle, a long ball on goal as Freese was a bit forward sails away harmlessly. Martinez lays it off to the top of the 18, it is lost. Right back for NY, a pair of shots, one blocked other goes way wide. Down the left line into the area, Ojeda has his shot saved, the rebound not even close. Ojeda dropped near midfield. DFK coming. Back a good 20 or so yards. Thiago looks to Ilenic however, not on target and its coming out, NY gets it again lost near midfield. Wagner loses a ball, Sullivan hits it first time but not on goal. A ball lost in the area, Haak to the rescue blocking the blasted shot, coughed up by Martins. Keaton with a first time pass, turned back to him, next one and NY has it in the 6, Ilenic with a blast just beyond the 6 is blocked for a corner. Keaton appears to be dancing as he is grabbed by his defender, the kick is put on goal but wide and high. Quinn beats his man on the wing gets it to the 6, it is loose then played too far across the goalmouth . Again Martins cannot get it to Ilenic, Wagner breaks it up but gives up a throw. Keaton now to Martinez his effort to the 6, turned away This first half hour has been an up and down affair at a fast pace. Not well played due to pace, some missed passes, but all is so rushed. DFK NY near the bottom of the circle at the left touchline, the defense is set up at the top of the arc, Wolf sends it in, out then Maxi too long forward to only the GK. NY moves the ball quickly and Makhanaya is cautioned at 33’ for the foul on Martinez. Do they now play at the carded player? at this frantic pace, it may be a good idea. From beyond the area Ilenic is high. NY into the area, out Parks sends it on goal very high. NY is getting into the area, they need to get shots off, not many passes with many bodies in the area. Shore with a great tackle, his pass to Moralez leads to a hard foul. Martins with a long cross, Harriel gets a head to it for a NY throw. A number of great one touch passes moves the ball up for NY then defended out to the bottom of the circle. A quartet of NY players within ten yards of each other how does that happen, it does not work as they lose it. Martinez off the steal gets the ball cannot get it to his player in the 6. Out to Shore then Parks. Now back to the right side to be lost in the area. Partially cleared and taken again at the bottom of the circle. Maxi was calling for the ball after the pass into the 6, he was not the best target, the commentator states he should have had the shot himself, I think he was too far to the right to have an angle, that was the ball to play. Keaton clears a ball out of the area, the throw taken 25 yards onto the field. Union throw at 43’. Sullivan double teamed wins a throw. Harriel sends one in blocked out for a corner at 45’. The kick is taken to the far side of the 6 and the halftime whistle sounds.
An early DFK by Maxi into the area and the Union come out with it, Back to Freese and then the young Union ‘keeper also gets it and just kicks it, could have easily grabbed it rather than kicking it at the edge of the area. O’Toole goes too long for Martinez, Wolf has it then lost out for a goal kick. Wolf just wide on the youngster, Rick from just inside the area, he was falling away but still a good go on goal. Martinez gets way outside, GK leaves his line and he beats him on the angle 1-0 at 55’. Keaton with a great ball outside then it is driven forward for him. Moralez from a distance and again Martinez has a role in it. Maxi leaned way back and down upon shooting the ball. Ojeda pressures a pass to the GK and deflects the ball out by the GK for a goal kick. Again NY Martinez, with a touch taken by Glesnes. Martinez lead into the area, the slide tackle was a goal saver, what a ball from the midfield. Wolf to take the corner, NY is amping up the pressure in a big way just beyond the 6, NY fouls and Union have it coming out. Sullivan drives on in Martins sends it out for a corner at 68”. Wagner takes it near the penalty are the shot snuffed. Sullivan with another ball in, again headed out. Ojeda leads the charge off the steal of a Sullivan pass then NY pulls it back now below the circle Martins well below the circle. For O’Toole and it is out of touch. From the left it goes all the way to the right of the NY defense and Sullivan sends one over the endline. Bedoya and others. Martins with pressure plays it out, subs arriving. Maxi is out for Fernandez, Sullivan for Bedoya, Daminain for Donovan and Frees just grabs a ball from the attacking player. Glesnes doubling the NY forward steps up for the errant pass. Ilinic has his pass taken. Players open all over for Philly as they pass it around. Into the 6, Freese steps out and gets there before the open runner. Martinez alone Fernandez catches up to the ball he played across the area to not a soul. Wolf fouled. Martins goes a bit forward and accros the field does not get enough on it, it gets to the GK and Matty sends it out of play, into the area and cleared out near half field, Harriel to Donovan and his header is on from Matty is more than up to the task to parry away the 20 yard attempt. Wagner I guess it taking the kick as the boos come, yes it is him, still hearing it for an alleged racial incident of a few years ago. Ilenic is down holding his back and in pain, he slipped awkwardly and may have twisted a muscle not so much of an injury is the hope. Up and stretching a bit now with training staffers, a pair are up for NY with 8 to play does he come back or get subbed? I sub him to make sure he does not tweak it again. NY down a man for a bit until they may sub,. Not this foul as the Union player chats at the offending player. Into the area, off the Union and NY may sub or return the player. Ilenic returns? Great ball movement gets NY to the endline, O’Toole with no outlet goes far side and NY gets a throw. Wolf off for Bakhar Ojeda gives way to Risa. There are 4 minutes to go. Westfield in for the cautioned player. NY all over the ball get it, bring it back and finds space, foul by Shore. Martinez takes it near midfield, carries it on his foot on the same side as the defender, yes, it was taken. NY wins a corner with under 90 seconds, this should burn off about 30. NY takes it short, Haak wins the ball over 3 then plays it into the area, hitting a Union player and another corner. There will be 4’ of added time. Union corner early in stoppage time. They go to the penalty area, back out to Wagner, again inside his left foot into the 6 is headed high, another corner another round of boos. Headed out at 92’ and out of play Union off the throw into the area, nodded on and over the bar but not by much another corner coming. The second ball is played out a pair of NYCFC players are down and Westfield is cautioned. Final minute of play.
Game. 1-0 NYCFC