Jesus Medina had a goal and an assist to lead New York City FC to a comprehensive 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in both team’s MLS opener at Children’s Mercy Park Sunday evening.
Maxi Moralez put the visitors in front in the 32nd minute when the diminutive — and unmarked — midfielder slid to tap in a cross by David Villa after the NYCFC captain found space in the box and cut to the outside of Ike Opera just outside the six.
Medina opened his account in the 53rd minute after Ben Sweat bombed up the sideline following a Yangel Herrera backheel. The left back played an inch-perfect cross to an unmarked Medina and the young Paraguayan took a touch to his left foot and scored on his MLS debut.
Maxime Chanot was sent off in the 88th minute on a straight red card for denying an obvious scoring opportunity following Video Review to reduce NYCFC to 10 men, but the visitors bunkered down to get the clean sheet.
Goals
Three Things
- The Big Picture: While other preseason contenders (Toronto FC and Atlanta United) stumbled out of the gate, NYCFC lived up to the hype with an impressive victory. Their front four threatened all game and Yangel Herrera and Alex Ring forced numerous turnovers in the midfield.
- Moment of the Match: A year ago, NYCFC boss Patrick Vieira lamented his club’s inability to score that critical second goal after taking the lead. That wasn’t the case here. Jesus Medina finished a well-crafted buildup that included a great run and an even better cross by Ben Sweat.
- Man of the Match: Alex Ring didn’t score a goal, didn’t even set up a goal, but his effort to disrupt the Sporting Kansas City attack and force numerous turnovers in midfield was critical to NYCFC’s success.
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