NYCFC beats Inter Miami convincingly to open its MLS Cup Playoffs
With its MLS Cup Playoffs opener, New York City FC presented a question few pondered before this week: Could Inter Miami CF superstar Gonzalo Higuaín handle a cool, wet night in Flushing?
Turns out he can’t, but NYCFC attacker Santiago Rodriguez sure can.
Rodriguez recorded two flawless assists for NYCFC in the second half at Citi Field on Monday night, while City’s defense kept the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward off the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory. Gabriel Pereira netted the opener in the 63rd minute before Maxi Moralez added the second just six minutes later, while Héber added some insurance in the 91st minute.
"I'm just really happy to provide two assists and just help my team out," Rodriguez said through a translator. "The win is very important for me and for the team today, it boosts our confidence for next week and for the things that are ahead."
NYCFC's defense of its first MLS Cup title will continue on the road on Sunday at 1 p.m. against No. 2 seed CF Montreal, who defeated Orlando City, 2-0, in its playoff opener.
"I think what we learned last year is that it's one game at a time," interim coach Nick Cushing said. "Last year we did a lot of work on having everything to gain and just concentrating on the next game. Forget MLS Cup, just win the next game and see where it gets you. And we had that feeling tonight and the message is the same now as we go for Montreal."
Rodriguez set up NYCFC’s opener with an explosive run down the middle of the field. Upon encountering a pair of Miami defenders, the Uruguayan bounced off them as they fell to the ground, continuing into the box, where he beat another man before sliding and pushing the ball to Pereira, who fired with his left foot into the top corner.
In the 69th minute, Rodriguez was in the center of the action again to assist a high-quality team goal for NYCFC. After Anton Tinnerholm made an impressive run toward the center of the field, Rodriguez corralled his pass and used his backheel to find Moralez, who banked it off the far post for the second goal.
"It just so happened I saw Anton cutting inside, that pulled the rival defense out and then I saw Maxi making the overlapping run," Rodriguez said. "He was in better position to shoot at the goal, so I just tried to give it to him however I could, and it got there."
Héber, starting in attack with Talles Magno injured, sealed what already was a sure result in stoppage time, gathering a misplayed ball in the back and beating Miami keeper Drake Callender after an initial save.
Higuaín, playing what’s expected to be the final game of his career, thought he put his side up in the 24th minute, slotting in a throughball by Christopher McVey, but the Argentine veteran was ruled offside by the assistant.
The close-call gave City a bit of energy, and within a few sequences, the home side was threatening. Héber chipped a shot on target from inside the box in the 27th minute, only for Miami defender Aime Mabika to clear it off the line into his own crossbar. The ball bounced out toward McVey, whose own clearance attempt bounced into the Miami post before the danger ended with the match still scoreless.
City got the job done without two players key to its strong form late in the season as attacker Magno and defender Tayvon Gray missed with shoulder and foot injuries, respectively, suffered on Atlanta United’s artificial playing surface in a Decision Day victory. Alfredo Morales also was ruled out midweek with a calf injury suffered at Atlanta.
NYCFC received a boost a few days ahead of the match when, thanks to the Mets’ early playoff exit, Monday’s venue was changed to Citi Field from Red Bull Arena, where NYCFC struggled to draw significant crowds. NYCFC drew 18,066 in Queens, creating a festive atmosphere in the club’s alternate home for the victory.
The squall that kept baseball from starting on time in the Bronx hit Flushing midway through the first half with rain becoming quite heavy in the opening minutes of the second half. That didn’t impact the mood too much, especially once Moralez sent in the second goal, with many fans moving under overhangs and onto the concourses while keeping noise levels high.
Ryan Gerbosi is an internet news manager for sports at Newsday.com. He also covers NYCFC and mixed martial arts and believes the designated hitter should be banned from baseball.
