New York City FC secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Nashville SC on Sunday, with Santiago Rodríguez making an impressive impact early in the match. Rodríguez wasted no time, scoring just 17 seconds in with his left foot and quickly following up with another goal in the 18th minute, bringing his total to 12 goals this season. He showcased his skill and determination by rebounding his own miss and firing a powerful shot into the net’s bottom left corner. Young rookie Hannes Wolf assisted Rodríguez for his second goal, marking his eighth assist of the season.
Adding to the lead, Alonso Martínez scored unassisted three minutes later, notching his 16th goal in his debut full season in the league. Nashville managed to get on the board in the 58th minute when Hany Mukhtar capitalized on a pass from Jacob Shaffelburg, scoring his eighth goal of the campaign. Shaffelburg contributed his fourth assist with the play. NYCFC’s Matt Freese made four saves in goal, while Joe Willis saved one shot for Nashville.
With this victory, New York City FC climbed to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Although Nashville had won their previous encounter on June 22 with a 1-0 scoreline, NYCFC dominated this match from the start. The next game for NYCFC will be on Decision Day, October 19, against CF Montreal, while Nashville will close out their regular season with an away game against the Chicago Fire on the same day. The teams will be looking to end their seasons on a high note as they prepare for the playoffs.
Overall, New York City FC showcased their offensive prowess and strong teamwork, securing a crucial win as they push for a higher position in the standings. Nashville, despite the loss, displayed resilience by getting on the scoreboard and will aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixture. This match highlighted the competitive spirit and talent present in Major League Soccer, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the regular season.
