Leagues Cup ’23 NYCFC vs Toronto FC

The arena is empty for the NYCFC vs Toronto match-up in Leagues Cup 2023, maybe a couple of hundred fans spread out across the two levels and no one in the main supporter’s section. Guess everyone is at parties getting ready for the #USWNT match tonight against the Netherlands at 9 p.m. est.

New York gets on the scoreboard in the 30′ via a header by Maxine Chanot from 15 yards out, going lower corner, inside the 2nd post. The header came off a corner kick taken by Santiago Rodriguez from the left corner flag. The goal puts NYCFC ahead 1 – 0 in a knockout match, the loser goes home due to prior results.

In the 45′ Mounsef Bakrar scores his first goal for NYCFC, the goal is scored off the volley from 15 yards out, the chance created by a Sean Johnson diving save off Santiago Rodriguez’s blast to the far post, NYC goes up 2 – 0. Then seconds later of a turnover Santiago Rodriguez goes in on the breakaway, beating two center backs and chipping Sean Johnson for a 3 – 0 halftime lead.

“I told my staff after the Charlotte game, I can feel it we will get a ruthless, dominating win soon. Tonight, we got it, now we have to keep the foot on the gas and continue to play well.”

Nick Cushing NYCFC Head Coach

Toronto goes ahead and uses the halftime window to make three substitutions, they bring on Mabika, Mbongue, and Kerr for Bernardeschi, Franklin, and Perruzza in the 46′.

The fourth New York goal came in the 57′ Jasson found the back of the net, near post off a feed from Cufre. The boys from Toronto seem to be all out of answers for the New York side. New York has controlled the match from the start and doesn’t seem to be in a sharing mood tonight.

A fifth goal for NYCFC this time it is Santiago Rodriguez getting on the scoresheet off an assist from Talles Magno, Rodriguez took Sean Johnson Tango dancing in the box and chipped him for the goal in the 75′ of play.

Sean O’Neil is shown his second yellow card of the match in the 84′ and is sent off the pitch. Toronto will be down to 10 men for the remainder of the match, they’re already trailing 5 – 0.

NYCFC would go on to keep the blowout lead secured and take home the win. It was the type of ruthless result Nick Cushing’s has been dying to see from his club. However, we need to remember that it was against Toronto, and they have sold pretty much everyone besides Sean Johnson at this point.