September 7, 2019.

On Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC barely edged out the visiting New England Revolution by a score of 2-1. Substitute Jesus Medina scored twice for NYCFC, including a stoppage time winner from the penalty spot.

Despite their flying form in recent weeks, NYCFC got off to a rough start against New England. Colombian forward Juan Caicedo opened the score for the visitors barely two minutes into the game.

Andrew Farrell played a straight through ball from his own half into the path of Caicedo, who burst through the NYCFC back line and held off center back Sebastien Ibeagha on his way to goal. Caicedo cooly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Brad Stuver on the one-on-one and stunned Yankee Stadium to make the game 1-0.

Shortly after the goal, in the 9th minute of play, New England defender Antonio Mlinar was sent off after a challenge on Valentin Castellanos. The NYCFC forward beat Mlinar with pace to go free on goal, but the New England defender stuck his leg out to prevent Castellanos from facing the keeper one-on-one. The referee initially showed Mlinar a yellow, but after consulting with VAR, he rightfully gave Mlinar a red instead.

Boosted by the man advantage, NYCFC pushed for an equalizer. In the 19th minute, Keaton Parks was able to break free and unleash a sizzling shot at the near post. A few minutes later, Castellanos got at the end of a long ball over the top and fired a one-time volley from eighteen yards out. On both occasions, goalkeeper Matt Turner pulled off strong saves to keep his team ahead on the scoreboard.

NYCFC were unable to create any more meaningful chances before the break, and both teams hit the showers with the score at 1-0.

Three minutes into the second half, Alex Ring almost found the back of the net to level the score. The NYCFC midfielder made a delayed run into the box and received a low cross at the top of the key. Ring hit the ball with pace, but Matt Turner came up big once again to block the ball down low.

With half an hour left in the match and with New England down to 10 men, NYCFC head coach Dominic Torrent went all in for the three points. In the 60th minute, center back Sebastien Ibeagha came off to make way for forward Jesus Medina.

The 22-year-old Paraguayan had an immediate impact on the game, and with only eight minutes in the match, he found an equalizer for the home side.

In the 68th minute, Anton Tinnerholm broke free down the right touch line and sent in a teasing ball into the area. Four NYCFC crashed into the box, including Medina, and the Paraguayan was able to get to the ball and chip goalkeeper Matt Turner.

With the score level at 1-1, Yankee Stadium let out a sigh of relief, but the ‘Boys in Blue’ were not done and pushed for a winner.

The decisive second goal would make itself wait until stoppage time. In the 90+2’ Andrew Farrell brought down Alexandru Mitrita inside the box.

The referee confirmed the penalty with VAR, and Jesus Medina stepped up to take the spot kick. Showing great composure, Medina sent the keeper the wrong way and converted the penalty to give his team the 2-1 win.

With this result, NYCFC is now atop of the Eastern Conference standings with 53 points and a game in hand. On Wednesday, they play Toronto FC at home to try and extend their lead at the top of the table.

As for the New England Revolution, they are unfortunate to walk away from Yankee Stadium empty handed, and they missed a golden opportunity to tie fourth-place D.C. United in the standings. Next Saturday, New England will visit Orlando City SC in a crucial match with great playoff implications for both sides.

-Pablo Bayona Sapag / Leonel Pillcorema

