NYCFC finally beats Houston Dynamo at home

New York City FC returned home to the Bronx to take on the Houston Dynamo. The boys in blue looked to beat the Dynamo for the first time in five seasons.

Eric Miller and Gary Mackay-Steven made their first NYCFC starts since joining the Club a few weeks ago. ”It’s been great here, the guys here are great” said Eric Miller post game when asked about his transition to NYCFC.

NYCFC kicked off the match as a dominant force by maintaining most of the possession and creating chances for themselves.

In the 16th minute their efforts paid off as Alexandru Mitriță put up the first goal of the night, putting NYCFC ahead of Houston. The Blues kept their lead up to the 26th minute when Dynamos Juan Cabezas tied the game. In the 28th minute Qiotto from Houston was given a red card after a nasty move on Mattarita.

The game took longer than average halftime due to a storm delay but when the Blues returned it was back to business.

In the 65’ there was a close call for the Dynamo as the Blues pushed forward and Heber almost headed the ball in the net but unfortunately it went over the goal post.

The Dynamo displayed serious aggression in their attempt to get ahead as the team tugged and grabbed at NYFC player’s shirts and pushed them down during the 67th minute. The wet field wasn’t helping either team either as both teams kept slipping and sliding on the field. Unfortunately for NYCFC players a couple of them slid while they were approaching the post.

Manotas made one through for Houston in the 77th minute, making the score 2-1. Moralez then entered the game a few second later, making it a hopeful attempt by NYCFC to get back ahead.

Castellanos was the hero in the 82’, preventing NYCFC from suffering a second consecutive loss.  His goal was perfectly placed right under the Houston goal post.

At the 84’ the game was a draw once again and the game seemed to be heading down that path until Castellanos scored his seventh goal of the season and his second goal of the night making the score 3-2 with NYCFC winning in extra time.

“We had to win the game. We needed the result. We were able to create opportunities. When you are in the key moment in the game you have to score. Even when it was 1-0, we had opportunities to go 2-0 three or four times and then after that [Houston] created two opportunities and they scored two goals. We were able to get the result and I am very happy about that. I say to my players, be careful, because when you have the opportunities you have to score. I am very happy because we came back and we fought until the last moment.” said Head Coach Torrent in the post game. The Blues will be facing Atlanta United on Sunday in Atlanta.