New York City FC secured their location inside the Eastern Conference Semifinals after defeating Atlanta United 2-0 at Yankee Stadium in Sunday’s Round one fit. NYCFC is now set to stand Supporters’ Shield winners New England Revolution on November 30.
Atlanta United held the gain all through the primary 1/2, keeping ownership to control greater shots on purpose than NYCFC. The domestic side retaliated inside the 44th minute via a Santiago Rodriguez strike, but the intention become fast taken off the board on an offside choice confirmed via VAR.
NYCFC regained their momentum, finding a purpose early inside the 2nd forty five. Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos determined himself inside the proper region at the right time to dance a volley off his foot and into the lower back of the net for the early lead.
There turned into nothing Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan ought to do to shop the shot, having been stuck off protect.
The Cityzens then doubled their lead mins later as Alexander Callens scored his 2d aim of 2021 after being left with an open-internet header at the rebound of Maxi Moralez’s initial strike stored by means of Guzan. The Atlanta goalkeeper made an exceptional diving forestall to deny the first shot, pushing the ball onto the publish for Callens to pick out up and net.
Atlanta had a few opportunities on the attack, but couldn’t get beyond NYCFC’s defense to discover the lower back of the internet. NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson made handiest 4 stops at some point of the ninety mins to maintain his 2d profession playoff clean sheet.
To make matters worse, Atlanta's Alan Franco become activate during stoppage time after being shown a 2nd yellow card. He is now set to overlook the group’s first in shape of the 2022 season.
NYCFC, but, didn’t walk away clean. Prior to the very last whistle, midfielder Alfredo Morales left with a overdue 2nd-half injury, leaving him questionable for the imminent Eastern Conference semifinal in shape in opposition to the Revolution.
