By Holden Willemsen
Fifth-seed New York City FC defeated the fourth-seeded Charlotte FC by a score of 1-0 and secured the first game of the best-of-three series at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
NYCFC were very successful on the press early on, with midfielder Nicolás Fernández Mercau winning the ball within the five-minute mark and sending through a dangerous shot from just outside of the 18 that was just wide of the goal.
The Boys in Blue were not afraid to take long shots, with striker Alonso Martinez taking a rather selfish one from about 25 yards out which went straight into the arms of Charlotte’s Kristijan Kahlina. Immediately after Kahlina got rid of the ball, NYCFC started their press back up and won the ball back with a clean shoulder-to-shoulder challenge from Fernández Mercau who squared the ball to Martinez. Martinez timed his shooting motion a little too early and the ball gently rolled wide of the net.
After struggling with the press for the first 15 minutes, Charlotte defender Nathan Byrne played a ball over the press which was found by striker Ivan Toklomati after a tussle with NYCFC defender Justin Haak. Toklomati laid the ball off for Brandt Bronico who blasted the shot around the head level of NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, forcing Freese to make a save.
The Pigeons continued their aggressive press despite allowing that chance, specifically targeting Djibril Diani for much of the game. In the 31st minute, NYCFC’s Andrés Perea received the ball at the top of the box after NYCFC pickpocketed Diani and blasted a shot off the crossbar.
In the 34th minute, Martinez received the ball by the sideline about 35 yards out and dribbled through Charlotte’s entire defense, knocking the ball past defender Adilson Malanda and slotting the ball in just past Kahlina.
NYCFC did not allow any complacency in the minutes after the goal with the relentless press starting right back up after, creating yet another chance that was saved by Kahlina.
The Crown upped their pressure in the second half, with NYCFC playing significantly more defensively leaving Charlotte with several chances off corners but none that made their way behind Freese.
NYCFC and Charlotte FC will face off again Saturday, Nov. 1 at Yankee Stadium. Kickoff will be at 3:30p.m.
Contributed by Holden Willemsen