Stoppage-time heroics from Julián Fernández cap thrilling Bronx battle
Bronx, NY – In a match that epitomized the razor-thin margins of MLS playoff contention, New York City FC orchestrated a stunning comeback victory over Columbus Crew, winning 3-2 in front of 17,413 passionate fans at Yankee Stadium.
The victory, sealed by Julián Fernández’s sublime stoppage-time winner, marked NYCFC’s seventh comeback win of the season and their 15th victory overall – tying them for second-most in MLS this campaign.
The Turning Point: Late-Game Magic
With the match seemingly destined for a draw after Hannes Wolf’s second equalizer, NYCFC found another gear in the dying moments. Tayvon Gray initiated a lightning-quick counterattack, feeding Agustín Ojeda, who perfectly set up Fernández for a curling left-footed strike that left Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte helpless.
“Beautiful. I think what you feel is beautiful,” Fernández said through a translator. “The sensation, the timing, the way the goal was scored was also very significant. We needed the victory to keep fighting at the top.”
Wolf’s Heroic Brace Keeps NYCFC Alive
Austrian forward Hannes Wolf proved to be the catalyst for NYCFC’s resilience, scoring twice to repeatedly drag his team back from the brink. His first-half stoppage-time equalizer came via a scrappy finish after Justin Haak’s cross, while his second was a thunderous volley from Ojeda’s perfectly weighted delivery.
Wolf’s performance elevated him to elite company – becoming just the fourth NYCFC player to record four braces in a single MLS regular season, while reaching 11 goals for the campaign.
“Very comfortable,” Wolf said when asked about his role. “The whole team made a big step. You can see the last five, six games. Today we went down twice and still came back. That’s not just me, but all 11.”
Columbus Crew’s Missed Opportunity
The visitors appeared poised to damage NYCFC’s playoff aspirations after taking leads through Dániel Gazdag’s questionable penalty and Wessam Abou Ali’s precise header. Gazdag’s spot-kick conversion came after Aiden O’Neill’s challenge on Abou Ali, while the Lebanese striker’s 60th-minute header deflected off the post before nestling in the net.
Columbus controlled significant portions of the match but couldn’t withstand NYCFC’s relentless pressure in the final third.
9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Wessam Abou Ali (#9) of the Columbus Crew celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second half. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Dániel Gazdag (#8) of the Columbus Crew celebrates with teammates after scoring on a first-half penalty kick. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Nicolás Fernández (#7) of New York City FC dribbles past Hugo Picard (#30) of the Columbus Crew during the second half. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Kevin O’Toole (#22) of New York City FC is challenged by Columbus Crew’s Taha Habroune (#16). Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Thiago Martins (#13) of New York City FC delivers a through pass in the first half against the Columbus Crew. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Hannes Wolf (#17) of New York City FC scores a first-half goal against the Columbus Crew. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Matt Freese (#49) of New York City FC directs his teammates during the first half against the Columbus Crew. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/17/25, Bronx, New York City, Yankee Stadium, Julián Fernández (#11) of New York City FC celebrates with teammates after scoring a stoppage-time goal against the Columbus Crew in the second half. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports
Tactical Masterclass from Jansen
Head coach Pascal Jansen’s substitutions proved decisive, with Ojeda providing two assists after entering as a substitute. The Argentine’s impact was immediate, creating Wolf’s equalizer before setting up the winner.
“Going into this stretch with everything still possible, as tight as it is in our league at the moment, every match is like eight finals,” Jansen explained. “The way they did it was very impressive and keeps us going towards the end of the season.”
Statistical Dominance
NYCFC’s attacking intent was evident in the numbers:
- 17 shots to Columbus’s 8
- 8 shots on target versus 5
- 53.7% possession
- 7 corner kicks to 3
The victory improved NYCFC’s impressive home record to 10-4-0, making them one of only five Eastern Conference teams with at least 10 home wins this season.
Playoff Implications
With this dramatic victory, NYCFC strengthened its postseason positioning while dealing a significant blow to Columbus’s own playoff ambitions. The result showcased the mental fortitude that has defined NYCFC’s season – seven of their 15 wins have been comeback victories.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match against a great opponent, but we were able to come away with a victory, which is what’s important,” Ojeda reflected.
Looking Ahead
NYCFC returns to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, September 20, to face Charlotte FC at noon ET, with the match available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. With the playoff race intensifying, every remaining fixture carries championship implications.
This victory wasn’t just three points – it was a statement of championship character when it mattered most.
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