New York City FC are not done at the MLS is Back Tournament quite yet and they have their first MLS win of the Ronny Deila era.
NYCFC beat Inter Miami 1-0 behind a second-half winner by Ismael Tajouri-Shradi in Group A play. Miami have been eliminated from the tournament while NYCFC are still alive to advance as one of the top third-place finishers. Four of the six will advance.
After a slow first half, the match picked up pace in the second 45. With their first shot on target, NYCFC took the lead in the 64th minute when Alexandru Mitrita sent Tajouri-Shradi through on a breakaway. The winger took a great first touch, setting himself up for a clinical finish to give his side the advantage.
Keaton Parks came close to extending NYCFC's lead shortly thereafter from just inside the 18-yard box, but was thwarted by a fine Luis Robles save.
Juan Agudelo was sent off in the 90th minute after picking up his second yellow card.
Goals
- 64' – NYC – Ismael Tajouri-Shradi | WATCH
Man of the Match presented by Heineken
Games are changed in moments and this match desperately needed a big moment and Tajouri-Shradi obliged.
His goal means NYCFC aren't going home just yet and gives them a much-needed boost in the regular-season standings. Maxime Chanot and James Sands were also solid.
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: NYCFC are off the mark! After starting their season with four straight league losses under Deila — with a few strong Concacaf Champions League performances in February — last season's top Eastern Conference finisher have gotten their first win of 2020. Can the win kickstart their season?
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Peep this first touch by Tajouri-Shradi on the game's only goal.
- YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Despite some decent performances in their brief MLS existence, Miami have zero points to show for it. And they have their names in the record books for worst start to an expansion season in league history by losing their first five games. Good news? D.C. United's 1996 side lost their first four then went on to win MLS Cup!
