FT: NYCFC 5, Red Bulls 2
Share this story
Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images
FT: NYCFC takes home a beautiful, refreshing, spicy 5-2 win over the Red Bulls in a cathartic edition of the Hudson River Derby!
After a topsy-turvy first half, the Boys in Blue put the pedal to the metal in the second, netting three unanswered goals that included a banger from Alex Ring, including the final two goals for Taty to collect his hat trick.
This is the first time New York City have really blown out their Jersey-based rivals. And it feels so damn good!
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday’s season opener against D.C. United at Audi Field was a mixed bag and when the 90 minutes were up, it felt like more on-field anguish would define NYCFC’s season again. High pressing and loads of energy set the tone for the opening 15 minutes of the match. It didn’t take long for Taty Castellanos to find the back of the net after a floored cross from Mr. Reliable: Anton Tinnerholm.
The energy then dissipated as quickly as it came. United were slowly creeping into the game and the midfield duo of James Sands and Keaton Parks failed to establish any meaningful spells of possession. The inevitable happened when United flipped the scoreline and headed into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
D.C. United is looking to start the Hernán Losada era off with a win today as they kick off the 2021 MLS season against NYCFC. After an offseason full of changes to the coaching staff, front office, and roster, United is hoping to prove that they’re a more formidable side than they’ve been in the last couple of seasons.
The first step on that path sees New York City FC come to the District. The Pigeons have been one of the most consistently successful teams in the Eastern Conference, and though there are signs that they may be in slight decline this year, they still have some elite MLS players and promising youngsters driving them forward.
LAFC over Columbus Crew for MLS Cup? Our 2021 predictions, MVP favorites, team-by-team talking points
play
ESPN FC s 2021 MLS Cup Predictions (1:25)
Alejandro Moreno shares his predictions for the upcoming MLS season, and has big expectations for LAFC. (1:25)
The 26th season of Major League Soccer kicks off on Friday as Houston Dynamo host San Jose at BBVA Stadium (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+) and after a wild season in 2020, it s a clean slate and a reset in 2021 with a full schedule, another new team (welcome, Austin FC) and plenty of iconic players and teams with a lot to prove. And so, a little over four months since Columbus Crew SC thumped Seattle Sounders to win MLS Cup, we re back and ready for a fun season.
Xavi Dussaq / Courtesy of D.C. United
D.C. United came out on the wrong end of a combative preseason match with NYCFC, falling to a 2-1 defeat. With the two sides playing at the Philadelphia Union’s training facility, a lone goal from rookie Kimarni Smith was sandwiched by tallies from Valentin Castellanos and Andres Jasson for City. Castellanos and United’s Junior Moreno were both sent off just before halftime in a game that had plenty of tough tackles throughout.
After accounting for several injuries, Hernán Losada sent out something close to his best available lineup. Rookie Kimarni Smith got to start up front as a striker rather than out on the flank in a 3421, with Edison Flores and Yamil Asad supporting him from dual attacking midfield roles.