NYCFC fell to defeat to NY Red Bulls in the first Hudson River Derby of the season, suffering a 1-0 loss at Red Bull Arena. Omir Fernandez’s late effort separated the sides on a frustrating night for the Boys in Blue in Harrison.
NY Red Bulls 1 NYCFC 0
Report from NYCFC.com
Nick Cushing’s side crossed the river in search of a first road win of 2023, eager to bounce back from a challenging run away from home, and continue our fine recent run against Red Bulls, having swept the season series last term.
Red Bulls had endured a tough start to the season with just one league win, sitting bottom of the Eastern Conference, but were also hoping to improve fortunes, having installed Troy Lesesne as Head Coach earlier this week.
Cushing made five changes to the New York side that faced FC Cincinnati in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in midweek, as Luis Barraza, Santiago Rodríguez, Gabriel Pereira, Richy Ledezma and Keaton Parks were restored to the starting XI.
The opening exchanges proved a typically feisty affair, stirred by a fiery atmosphere with both sets of fans in good voice.
City put the hosts’ defense under immediate pressure, as Talles Magno chased a long-ball over the top, but Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was alert to the danger.
The Brazilian threatened throughout the first period, drilling straight at the shot-stopper, with the visitors just lacking the cutting edge in the final third. The best chance of the half fell to Pereira with half an hour gone, following an excellent passage of play down the left flank.
Kevin O’Toole burst forward, combining well with Ledezma and Talles Magno – the latter playing across to Pereira who curled a delightful first-time effort goalward from 25 yards, only to see the attempt agonizingly bounce off the post.
Meanwhile, the City Boys restricted Red Bulls to half-chances in the opening 45 – Tom Barlow’s strike comfortably saved by Barraza, with both Andrés Reyes and Cameron Harper firing off-target, as the two sides headed into the break goalless.
Second Half
A tightly-contested second half bore little in terms of goalmouth action, until the game burst into life on the 65-minute mark.
Inspired by a double substitution, Red Bulls tested Barraza twice in quick succession, as Wikelman Carmona and Cristian Cásseres Jr. both tried their luck from range, with the City ‘keeper equal to both efforts.
The home side struck the decisive goal with 13 minutes of normal time left to play. Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box, Fernandez unleashed a shot which struck Thiago Martins and looped over Barraza to claim the points.
Upcoming Match
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 7:30 p.m. ET – MLS Matchday 13 v. Orlando City SC | Exploria Stadium; Orlando, Florida | Broadcast: Apple TV | Radio: nycfc.com/radio