Set-Piece Masterclass Sends NYCFC Past Red Bulls in U.S. Open Cup RO16
New York City FC booked their place in the U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals with a clinical 3–1 win over New York Red Bulls in a derby defined by set-piece dominance and ruthless finishing.
NYCFC struck first after just nine minutes, capitalising from a corner. The delivery from Maxi Moralez found Trewin at the front post, and the Australian powered a bullet header into the bottom right corner beyond McCarthy. The away end erupted beside the press box as NYCFC took an early 0–1 lead.
But the advantage lasted only four minutes. Teenage sensation Julian Hall levelled for the Red Bulls after Cade Cowell surged down the right and whipped in a low cross, which Hall met first time to send a rising finish over Matt Freese and into the net. It was 1–1 almost immediately.
Momentum swung Red Bulls’ way. Jorge Ruvalcaba found space in behind the NYCFC defence and forced a sharp save from Freese, before the Mexican international again tested the goalkeeper with a curling effort from distance on 25 minutes that looked destined for goal.
The pressure continued on the half-hour mark, with Cowell again involved, meeting a Donkor cross at the back post only to be denied once more by Freese.
However, NYCFC struck again on 38 minutes and once more from a corner. Maxi Moralez delivered from the left, picking out Raul Gustavo at the front post, and the 6’3” Brazilian guided a precise header into the far corner. It was déjà vu from Trewin’s opener, and Moralez’s second assist from a set piece. NYCFC went into the break 1–2 ahead.
Just 90 seconds into the second half, substitute Talles Magno had a chance to extend the lead, but he scuffed a first-time effort over the bar after finding space in the box.
On 57 minutes, NYCFC delivered yet another set-piece blow. Moralez’s corner found captain Thiago Martins at the front post, and he rose highest to power home a third towering header. It was 1–3 and a third corner goal of the night for Pascal Jansen’s side.
Five minutes later, NYCFC thought they had added a fourth. Moralez threaded a clever trivela pass through to Cavallo, who burst in from left-back and went one-on-one with the keeper, but he dragged his finish wide of the target.
In the end, it was celebration for New York City FC and frustration for the Red Bulls on derby night, as NYCFC’s set-piece dominance carried them to a 3-1 victory and sends them into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals.
