NYCFC kicked off the first leg of two in their Concacaf Champions League semifinal meeting with Seattle Sounders. A tight affair, the hosts would open the scoring through Albert Rusnak in the 16th minute. NYCFC found a route back into proceedings via Thiago Andrade in the 27th minute before Jordan Morris added a second for Seattle seven minutes later.
Seattle added a third from the penalty spot after consultation with VAR – Nicolas Lodeiro converting from 12 yards out. That finished the scoring for the evening and confirmed a 3-1 advantage to Seattle heading into the second leg next week.
FIRST HALF
New York City Football Club were on the hunt for a first leg advantage as they took on Seattle Sounders in the Champions League on Wednesday. Head Coach Ronny Deila made three changes to the XI that took on Toronto FC at the weekend, with Tayvon Gray, Malte Amundsen, and Thiago Andrade replacing Nicolás Acevedo, Chris Gloster, and Maxi Moralez.
The two sides were meeting in the first all-MLS Champions League semifinal, and after nine minutes NYCFC had their first attempt at goal via a Keaton Parks shot from the edge of the area. It would be the hosts that stole the game’s first goal, however, after a team move finished with Jordan Morris feeding Albert Rusnak to score.
Undeterred by that early setback NYCFC approached the challenge of an equalizer with vigor, and in the 27th minute they found success. The consequence of a well-worked team goal – a deep cross from Malte Amundsen was headed back across goal by Taty Castellanos for Thiago Andrade to acrobatically fire home.
Thiago’s pace down the right was proving a consistent threat for NYCFC as both sides found joy attacking down the wings. In the 34th minute, Seattle secured their second of the game when a quickly taken throw-in allowed Cristian Roldan to pull it back for Jordan Morris to convert.
A few minutes later a cross found the head of Raul Ruidiaz but his header was well saved by Sean Johnson and kept the advantage at one goal.
SECOND HALF
The second half brought with it no changes for either team, but an early chance for NYCFC and Taty Castellanos.The 2021 MLS Golden Boot Winner was found in behind the defender with a well-timed cross from the left by Parks, but his attempt to prod it towards goal ended up wide.
A back and forth encounter was now unfolding and that created a bevy of half-chances for both sides including a volleyed effort for Thiago Andrade. In the 65th minute, a cross from Seattle almost allowed Raul Ruidiaz to convert from close range. He missed, but after consultation from VAR a penalty was awarded that Nicolas Lodeiro converted.
The 77th minute of the game saw a first change for NYCFC as Nicolás Acevedo entered the field in place of Thiago Andrade. Deila would introduce a second sub in the 85th minute by introducing Gedion Zelalem for Parks. That would be the final notable act of the game and confirm a first leg defeat for NYCFC in the Concacaf Champions League.
NEXT UP
Next up for New York City Football Club is a second leg against Seattle Sounders in the Concacaf Champions League on Wednesday, April 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00PM EST (TV schedule here).