New York City FC beat Toronto FC 3-2 for first road win of season

Courtesy: NYCFC

By Chris Tsakonas

New York City FC earned its first road win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC at BMO Field tonight. 

New York City took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break after Santi Rodriguez scored off of a penalty kick in the 23rd minute and Malachi Jones doubled the lead in the 44th minute. Federico Bernardeschi pulled one back for Toronto in the 55th minute, but New York City answered through Andres Perea in the 78th minute. New York City held on for the win despite conceding an 89th minute goal to Raoul Petretta.

Here are three takeaways from the match.

Malachi Jones shines in first MLS start

Jones began the night in the starting lineup for the first time in his New York City career, as he got the start on the left side of the midfield. Jones was active in the attack early for New York City, as he forced a turnover 30 yards from goal and forced Sean Johnson into a save in the 19th minute.

Jones’ goal would come towards the end of the first half, as he got on the end of a cross from Hannes Wolf and found the back of the net to double New York City’s lead heading into halftime.

“I think with Toronto's system, we knew Bernardeschi was going to be higher up and we [could] get Malachi against one of their back three central defenders and I thought he really showed how much of an exciting player he is,” head coach Nick Cushing said after the match. “He's a really good dribbler, really direct, really offensive.”

Jones’ match ended early with an apparent injury, which forced him to come off for Augustin Ojeda in the 69th minute.

Matt Freese to the rescue

Freese had another strong evening in goal for New York City as he finished with a season-high nine saves with two goals conceded. Five of those saves came in the first half, including three in the final 11 minutes before halftime.

A pivotal save came in the 77th minute, when Freese was able to deny a would-be equalizer from Lorenzo Insigne from the middle of the area as New York City held a 2-1 lead.

Freese has had five or more saves in five of his last eight matches and currently holds a 1.16 goals against average on the season.

Andres Perea, defense close out win

After Bernardeschi made it a 2-1 match with his goal in the 55th minute, Toronto continued to press forward for an equalizer. Freese’s save in the 77th minute was followed by an attack for New York City on the other end, with Augustin Ojeda cutting it back across the six-yard box to set up Perea for an easy tap-in goal.

While Toronto pulled one back to make it a 3-2 match in the 89th minute, New York City allowed just one shot through nine minutes of stoppage time to close out the win.

“I think this group is showing a real togetherness, it's showing a real spirit and I thought we played well in the game - but I'm really pleased with the end of the game to see the result out,” Cushing said.

Next Up

It’s a quick turnaround for New York City, as there’s just a three-day gap until a road match against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night. It will be the second of three matches in eight days for New York City, who return to the five boroughs for the Hudson River Derby against the New York Red Bulls next Saturday.

Live commentary for Wednesday’s match will get underway at 7:15 P.M. with Glenn Crooks and Matty Lawrence providing the radio call.