CINCINNATI — The Philadelphia Union outplayed and ultimately topped FC Cincinnati 2-0 at Nippert Stadium on Saturday in downright dreadful conditions.

A clean sheet from Andre Blake and two strikes early in the second half, the first by Marco Fabian and the second by David Accam, who also assisted on the first, helped propel the visitors to the road win.

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Follow Jamie on Twitter: @JamieSmed.

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Related

• There is no question about it. If this were the Oregon Trail, the Indy Eleven would have snake bite. Teams get injuries and players need rest, but this season’s injury list has been off the charts already through six games. The best news out of all of this is that…
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• INDIANAPOLIS — Seeking a versatile player to help at the wide midfield spots and centrally when needed, the Indy Eleven appear to be close to terms with New Zealand international Craig Henderson. Eleven coach Tim Hankinson confirmed the move Thursday evening on Casillero Deportivo in an interview with Gus Ochoa and Logan Ayers. https://t.co/xsjRfg6SVN…

Photo credit: Robbie Mehling/Soc Takes

We’ve had a few weeks of USL Championship action, and while I was going to wait a bit longer before going all number nerdy, things have been far too chaotic to ignore. Upsets galore, some expansion teams doing unexpectedly well, some doing far worse than I predicted, and generally lots of stuff to #HotTake about.

I’m not going team by team and doing all the numbers and explanations, that can wait until May when there’s a much larger — and more statistically significant — sample size. I am, though, looking at points-per-game data for 2018 and 2019 (so far), and using that for the basis of this rambling analysis.

I first calculated my numbers and ran a basic correlation analysis in Excel. It spat out a whopping 11.4%. In a nutshell, there’s basically no connection whatsoever between the results of this season and last. Let’s dive in to show just how chaotic things are.

We begin, as is tradition, with the Western Conference.

Two teams have moved by an entire point per game (roughly): Tulsa Roughnecks and Orange County SC. Tulsa has come out of the gate swinging, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Orange County 5-3, blanking Tacoma and currently leads the Western Conference. They blew it right the hell up at the end of last season and it looks like it might actually work.

Orange County on the entirely opposite hand has walked into the gate, fallen over and passed out on the starting line. The club finally managed a win, just the one, after losing to Tulsa and expansion El Paso. Five points through five from a team that completely bossed the Western Conference around last year is bad, and more importantly, made me look stupid. I did give Orange County 10% odds of being a mess, but I honestly didn’t expect it might be this bad.

Honorable mention goes to Los Dos, who actually look half good for once in a very long time, and a major dishonorable mention goes to Phoenix Rising. Phoenix is sitting at four points through four games, and that’s just plain dreadful. It’s inexplicable. I might as well mention RGV, a team that was pretty bad last year and is much, much worse so far in 2019. The Toros have played five games and have two points. TWO. They can’t even use excuses about a tough schedule or road games, either. Not good, my dudes.

Only one team out West that was genuinely really good last year remains really good, and that’s Sacramento. They kept most of their major players, and they’ve been ramping up their efforts on and off the field to build momentum for MLS once again. Hopefully, it works. There aren’t many reasons why Sacramento shouldn’t be in MLS in two years.

And onto the East.

Saint Louis completed their fifth conference switch in five seasons, prolonging my favorite administrative meme in USL, and are finding the Eastern Conference a much, much easier game. They’re sitting comfortably atop the conference and are playing the best they ever have. Very, very great work. Tampa Bay and the Baby Bulls both get a nod for improvement, and they’re hot on Saint Louis’s heels.

Photo credit: Robbie Mehling/Soc Takes

On the opposite side, we find two teams with one point through three: the Swope Park Rangers and Charlotte Independence. They’re bad. Real bad. Very, very, very bad. Charlotte’s big announcement can’t come soon enough, as hopefully it means more money for this team. Also, we gotta talk about Louisville. Down .741 points per game from last season, they’re not far removed from the playoff bubble at the moment. I know it’s early, but yikes and/or oof.

Take a look at this. Them right there are the expansion teams. Now, let’s talk about the expansion teams.

In the West, one of the three newbies is within playoff range: New Mexico United. They’re fifth in the conference by PPG, have 10 points through six matches and are the only newcomer to have really figured things out early. They’re one of the few predictions I made in March that’s holding true.

El Paso and Austin are both doing OK. They’re not yet in the playoff picture, but they’re not so far away now that things are impossible. El Paso needs to find some chemistry with their defense, and they’ll be fine. Austin, meanwhile, needs to score more goals. It’s much easier said than shot, I’m well aware, but it’s the biggest issue they’re facing so far.

The same can’t quite be said as much for the East, unfortunately. Memphis is doing adequately, but not much better just yet, Birmingham and Loudoun are both struggling early, and then there’s Hartford. Oh, Hartford.

You see, back in March, I was buying all the Hartford Athletic stock I could get my hands on. Then, they went and lost their first five games played by an aggregate scoreline of 2-11. The flattening at the hands of the Rowdies was a particularly dire affair and I’m getting ready to start selling. A team that plays a 5-4-1 that can’t defend is a team with some rather serious problems. Maybe they’ll figure it out come June and they’ll be the next 2018 OKC Energy for me to write about in a few months. But I have some major worries about the new New England team.

I’ll hold off on any meaningful attendance discussion for now, simply because we don’t have much in terms of data just yet, but things are looking sufficiently fine to keep me from tweeting about it. Really, until everyone’s played at least four or five home games, there’s nothing to actually analyze.

Follow John on Twitter: @JohnMLTX.

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• INDIANAPOLIS — Sorry, goalkeepers, but having a third one of you on the roster is a waste. That’s always been my belief. And someone who knows way more about soccer than I, Indy Eleven coach Tim Hankinson, agrees. Or at least he used to. “It’s been my theory (throughout…
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• INDIANAPOLIS — There are no surprises here.  The Indy Eleven have retained a core group of players from last season.  A season which included record goal scoring and a championship run.  Indy Eleven’s head coach Tim Hankinson is a seasoned leader and he is pragmatic with his approach.  There…
• WESTFIELD, Ind. — Indy Eleven signee Ben Speas has a bit of an appetite for the spectacular. At North Carolina, he slalomed through a pack of defenders before producing a game-winning golazo in the NCAA final. For Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC, he scored a beauty in a friendly against Premier League side Stoke…
• INDIANAPOLIS — Seeking a versatile player to help at the wide midfield spots and centrally when needed, the Indy Eleven appear to be close to terms with New Zealand international Craig Henderson. Eleven coach Tim Hankinson confirmed the move Thursday evening on Casillero Deportivo in an interview with Gus Ochoa and Logan Ayers. https://t.co/xsjRfg6SVN…

A look at the top game in each region, plus honorable mentions

Photo credit: Greenville Triumph SC

With U.S. Soccer’s unveiling of the first-round matchups of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, the most compelling time in American soccer is nearly upon us.

Each year, the nation’s top amateur teams from two national amateur leagues (USL League Two and the NPSL) as well as local qualifiers from the open division compete in the opening round and attempt to secure a David vs. Goliath match against the professional teams entering in the second round and beyond.

This year, the introduction of six USL League One teams means there’ll be several amateur vs. professional matches in the first round. Unlike the leagues running simultaneously, the cross-competitive nature of the Open Cup leads to some of the most memorable matches and incredible underdog stories you’ll see each year. Christos FC, sadly absent from this year’s edition after losing in the qualifying rounds, made their remarkable run in 2017’s edition to the fourth round before falling to MLS’ D.C. United. The same edition played host to then-USL club FC Cincinnati’s remarkable run to the semifinals, where they ultimately fell to the New York Red Bulls in extra time.

With history in mind and the first-round pairings unveiled, we take a look at the most compelling match in each of the four regions as well as some honorable mentions in each.

Northeast Region

New York Red Bulls U23 (USLL2) vs. FC Motown (NPSL) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. ET – New York Red Bulls Training Facility, East Hanover, N.J.

This region is chock-full of exciting matches, but the biggest treat features two clubs that were among the best in their respective leagues in 2018.

New York Red Bulls U23 play host in their first-round match against FC Motown, as they make their fifth all-time appearance in the USOC. Historically, the club has struggled to find success in the tournament, reaching the second round only once in 2014, beating open division qualifier Vermont Voltage before losing to the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Their USOC struggles don’t affect their league performance, however, as Red Bulls U23 is constantly chock-full of MLS-level talent and has been dangerous in their time in both the NPSL and USLL2 (formerly the Premier Development League). The club won the NPSL in their 2014 campaign — defeating Chattanooga FC in the final of an undefeated season — and won its division in either league six times while never finishing with a sub-.500 record in its history since launching in 2010. Most recently, Red Bulls U23 finished 10-1-3 and was Eastern Conference runner-ups in the 2018 PDL season.

FC Motown is no slouch either, as the 2018 NPSL finalist enters its third-consecutive USOC (once as an open division club, twice as a member of the NPSL). After launching in 2012, the club ran rampant in the amateur Garden State Soccer League, winning that league title from 2014-17 before making the leap to the NPSL. In its two seasons against improved competition, Motown has still thrived, reaching the North East Regional final in 2017 (as the Clarkstown Eagles), and falling to Miami FC 2 in the NPSL Cup final in 2018. They also hold the advantage in head-to-head history against Red Bulls U23, defeating them in last year’s tournament in the first round.

Two traditional powerhouse clubs meeting for a second-consecutive USOC in a grudge match? That’s the definition of compelling.

Honorable mentions

New York Cosmos B (NPSL) vs. Black Rock FC (USLL2) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. ET – Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, New York, N.Y.

Richmond Kickers (USLL1) vs. Virginia United (Va.) – May 7, 7 p.m. ET – City Stadium, Richmond, Va.

Lansing Ignite FC (USLL1) vs. AFC Ann Arbor (NPSL) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Cooley Law School Stadium, Lansing, Mich.

Southeast Region

Greenville Triumph SC (USLL1) vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (USLL1) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Legacy Early College Field, Greenville, S.C.

This four-match region contains a few oddities of note, but the sole professional vs. professional match in the first round highlights the bunch.

Greenville Triumph SC is one of the nation’s newest professional soccer clubs, having just recently made its debut in the new USL League One in the third division of the USSF pyramid. In their first USOC appearance, Greenville will rematch against Tormenta FC, which was their debut opponent back on March 29 in a 0-1 loss on the road. Triumph SC earned the first win in club history one week later, taking a 2-1 result over Lansing Ignite FC in the club’s first home match in front of a sellout crowd of 4,014. Separated by a three or four hour drive, this burgeoning regional match has all the makings of a fun head to head for years to come, and this opening chapter in its USOC history should be an exciting time in Greenville, S.C.

Tormenta FC is also in the midst of its professional debut season, currently atop the USLL1 table with two wins and a draw through three matches. As mentioned above, the club opened their professional history with the first match in USLL1 history — a 1-0 home win over Greenville in front of their own sellout crowd of 3,519 — and have kept the gas on since. Although this is the club’s debut professional season, Tormenta FC has competed in USSL2 (formerly the PDL) since 2016 and most recently won their division in the 2018 season, while simultaneously reaching the second round of the 2018 USOC, defeating fellow USLL2 club the Myrtle Beach Mutiny before falling to USL Championship club the Charleston Battery. While the USLL1 side takes on Greenville, Tormenta FC 2 is continuing to compete in USLL2 and will also feature in the USOC against USLL1 side Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. The two Tormenta FC sides cannot meet prior to the USOC Final.

Honorable mentions

Miami FC (NPSL) vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers (Fla.) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Buccaneer Field, Miami Shores, Fla.

South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (USLL2) vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (USLL1) – May 8, 7 p.m. ET – Erk Russell Park, Statesboro, Ga.

Central Region

Bavarian SC (Wisc.) vs. Forward Madison FC (USLL1) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. CT – Uihlein Soccer Park, Milwaukee

An amateur powerhouse takes on a newly formed professional club that has captured the nation’s attention in our Central Region focused match.

Bavarian SC is a renowned amateur club with a ridiculously rich history in both league play and the USOC. Currently the defending champions of the UPSL, Bavarians SC is on a three-season streak as champions of the PLA in 2016-17 in addition to their current UPSL title, and is also the current USASA National Amateur Cup winners — a title they have previously captured in 1976, 2001, 2002 and 2003. The club also has a rich history in the USOC, competing in their ninth edition this season. In 1993 and 1994, the club reached the semifinals and finals of the last USOCs prior to the reintroduction of professional clubs to the tournament. After a nine-year absence, they returned in 2003 and 2004 as a travelling club before making another four appearances in 2007 (NPSL), 2009 (USASA), 2012 and 2013 (both NPSL). The club took a two-year hiatus from playing in 2014-15, but returned to competition in 2016 and now make their long-awaited return to the USOC. There’s no amateur club — and very few professional clubs — in this year’s competition that can match the storied history of Bavarians SC, and many will be watching with great interest, your humble writer included.

Quite the counter to Bavarians SC, Forward Madison FC has little history to speak of so far, making their debut on April 6 in USLL1 in a 1-0 road loss against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Despite only recently making their appearance on the scene, the latest club of managing director Peter Wilt (who helped launch the Chicago Fire and Indy Eleven as president of those clubs, as well as the recently sanctioned National Independent Soccer Association set to launch this fall), has made a massive impact and has rapidly ascended in popularity and notoriety. Launching like they were fired out of a cannon, the club lives by the edict of going “Full Mingo,” a reference to the plastic pink flamingos that dot the lawns of Madison, Wisc., as well as the club’s crest. With a fun, interactive persona, the club has quickly become beloved by many American soccer fans, and their first-round match against a club like Bavarians SC will only bring further attention to this phenomena.

Honorable mentions

Little Rock Rangers (NPSL) vs. NTX Rayados (Texas) – May 8, 7 p.m. CT – Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock, Ark.

Laredo Heat SC (NPSL) vs. Brazos Valley Cavalry FC (USLL2) – May 8, 8:15 p.m. CT – Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas

West Region

Orange County FC (NPSL) vs. FC Golden State Force (USLL2) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. PT – Orange County Great Park – Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, CA

A first-round winner from the 2018 USOC meets last year’s tournament darlings, coming off a deep run.

Founded in 2009, Orange County FC competed in the renowned SoCal Premier League through the 2016 season, building a groundswell of support and organization ahead of a 2017 move to the NPSL. The club made a splash in its debut in their new league, reaching the California Regional final before falling to CD Aguiluchos USA, just shy of the national semifinals. Their performance was good enough to earn them a spot in the 2018 USOC, the club’s first appearance in the tournament, where they earned their first win, 3-0, over open division qualifier Santa Ana Winds FC before falling in the second round to USL Championship club Fresno FC. Orange County FC repeated their NPSL success in 2018, reaching the West Region finals but ultimately falling to FC Mulhouse Portland — securing themselves a spot in the 2019 USOC for their second-consecutive appearance.

The FC Golden State Force are an incredibly talented USLL2 Western Conference club, which has seen league success as well as a highlight-reel USOC run in 2018 all the way to the fourth round. Winners of the Southwest Division for the past two consecutive seasons, the club makes its third-straight appearance in the USOC with a lot to live up to after last year’s performance. After a comfortable 3-1 win over open division qualifier LA Wolves FC in the first round, the Force took down a professional side in the USL’s Orange County SC 4-2 in the second round. The Force repeated their success in the third round, downing another USL club in the Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1. This led to a matchup against one of MLS’ most historically successful and renowned clubs in the LA Galaxy. Unfortunately for the Force, another upset wasn’t on the cards, as they fell 1-3. But their run into the tournament brought eyes to the club and likely marked a target on their backs in the first round this year as a club to watch.

Honorable mentions

Cal FC (Calif.) vs. FC Mulhouse Portland (NPSL) – May 7, 7:30 p.m. PT – Calabasas High School, Calabasas, Calif.

Follow Colton on Twitter: @cjcoreschi.

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Photo credit: Head coach Steve Bushre/Old Bhoys SC

Goals: Old Bhoys – Tim Shackleton (11’, Ante Cop assist), Jalen Rice (90’, Ryan Blarr assist); Livonia City FC – (28’, Matt McCourt)

Conditions: Overcast, kickoff temp of ~66 F.

Attendance: 50

GAME SUMMARY

Old Bhoys Soccer Club hosted Livonia City FC of the Michigan Premier Soccer League (MPSL) to Cardinal Ritter Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the first friendly match of the 2019 season for the Bhoys. Livonia City made the trip to the Hoosier State a day earlier, playing a closely contested match against FC Indiana in Lafayette, losing 2-1. Both sides are early on in their season preparation.

The start of the match reflected this early state of the season, as both teams are beginning to come together and also look to impose their will in how they are playing or will be playing as 2019 plays out. Possession was initially captured at the start by Livonia City, with the Bhoys looking to transition possession when regained and counter quickly. As the match reached 10 minutes, the Old Bhoys were looking to latch on to some balls played deep from the back, and struck first in the 11th minute. Matt Perry corralled an errant pass in the middle of the defensive third, and played a ball back to his ‘keeper, Ante Cop. Upon receipt, Cop checked his fullbacks and then played a ball long over the top of the defense of Livonia City FC to a streaking Tim Shackleton. Shackleton beat his defender to the ball, lashing a looping first time volley up and over the keeper to secure the first goal of 2019! 1-0, Old Bhoys.

The next few minutes produced some high-quality chances for Livonia City FC, resulting in the Old Bhoys calling on Cop to stand on his head, making two back-to-back, point-blank sprawling saves. After the ensuing corner, the Bhoys defense settled in a bit and began to play with more confidence. However, that was short-lived. In the 28th minute, Matt McCourt of Livonia City, having just stepped onto the pitch, slotting home a rebound to pull his side level. The buildup of play started in their defensive third, and through some nice midfield interplay, Livonia dumped a ball into the far side corner, and with a combination of their wingers’ pace and an injury to center back Nick Kowalkowski, a shot from close range was saved by Cop. Unfortunately for the home side, the rebound fell into McCourt’s path and he coolly finished. Livonia almost struck again in the 35th minute, but a goal line clearance by Trevor Semakula kept the score level. The first half saw a couple of disciplinary cautions issued, and finished 1-1.

The second half began with the home side being somewhat more deliberate with the ball in possession. This approach of patient buildup led to a very good scoring chance for the “good guys” just five minutes into the second frame. Through some connecting play on the right flank, Stone Riddle whipped a cross in toward Anthony Moscatello. Moscatello’s snap header forced a tremendous save from Livonia City’s goalkeeper. The increase in possession led to another chance just a couple of minutes later, where an interception from Semakula and threaded through ball into Jalen Rice’s path forced another solid save from the away keeper. Ten minutes into the second half, the match became more of a back-and-forth affair, largely through the bulk of this time period. Both sides generated some pressure, but either defense didn’t break. Until we reached the end of the 90 minutes…

In stoppage time, Derek Onay collected a pass in the attacking third, and found Ryan Blarr in space on the right wing. On the weak side, Jalen Rice made a run toward the far post and Blarr’s cross found him in space. Jalen casually slotted home the game-winning goal in his first match wearing the Old Bhoys logo. A local product of the youth and high school soccer system of Indianapolis, it was fitting that his goal would break the deadlock and lift the Bhoys to victory. Final score: 2-1, Old Bhoys on top.

OLD BHOYS SOCCER CLUB ROSTER

Goalkeeper: Ante Cop

Defenders: Trevor Semakula, Nick Kowalkowski, Matthew Perry, Brian Burleson, Nick Littrell, Ryan Blarr, Jide Oluyedun

Midfielders: Juan Alberghetti, Tommy Clark, Stone Riddle, Neal Shaw, David Chagollan,

Forwards/wingers: Tim Shackleton (C), Jalen Rice, Anthony Moscatello, Lucas Brown, Derek Onay

Next up for your Old Bhoys:  The Bhoys await the winner of the Gunners vs. Valhalla FC in the first round of the USASA Region II Amateur Cup and will host the second-round match. Details to follow; be sure to follow the Old Bhoys on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for additional details.

Follow Andy on Twitter: @Andy_H_1980.

Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.

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Photo credit: Kevin Johnston/Soc Takes

INDIANAPOLIS — After hitting the road and losing to vastly inferior competition in the past couple editions of the U.S. Open Cup, the Indy Eleven have decided it’s time to take one of the oldest soccer competitions on the planet a little more seriously.

The Eleven will host a 2019 U.S. Open Cup second-round match at the Sellick Bowl on the campus of Butler University, the team announced Wednesday. The winner of the May 8 first-round clash between NPSL side AFC Ann Arbor and Lansing Ignite of USL League One will visit Indy either May 14 or 15 at a to-be-determined time.

It’s unclear if the Eleven, should they win their second-round game, will attempt to host their third-round match in Indianapolis as well. Such a scenario seems plausible, though the team’s Wednesday release didn’t state such.

The 22 clubs that advance to the third round will all play May 29.
MLS teams enter in the fourth round.

Photo credit: Kevin Johnston/Soc Takes

If history is any indicator, Indy supporters should welcome the return to the club’s past USOC mindset, one in which spending a few extra bucks almost always turned out more positively than being a miser.

In 2017-18, Indy — unwilling to take on the additional costs associated with hosting a USOC match — settled for away dates for its USOC entry-round matches. The results were utterly embarrassing.

Indy flamed out on the road against the Michigan Bucks 1-0 in the second round of the 2017 tourney. And in 2018, Indy again fell 1-0 to an amateur side in the second round, this time venturing south to get eliminated by Mississippi Brilla FC.

Things have generally gone far, far better for the Eleven in the USOC when hosting through the third round. They lost at home 2-nil to Louisville City FC in the third round of the 2015 tournament, but advanced to give MLS sides a run for their money in their own buildings in the fourth round on two other occasions after hosting and winning home matches to get there.

In 2014, Indy lost 2-1 in the fourth round at Columbus Crew SC. The following year, the Chicago Fire had to go to penalties to sneak by the Eleven after their fourth-round matchup yielded a 1-1 scoreline after 90 plus extra time.

The moral of the story: Mostly good things occur when the Indy Eleven host mid-round USOC matches, and rather humiliating things tend to happen when they don’t. The Eleven will certainly hope for the former when they take the pitch May 14 or 15 at the Sellick Bowl.

Stay tuned for more information on Indy’s opponent, the exact date and kickoff time in the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

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New York City FC/MLS

For those not fluent in Spanish, preciado means valuable. Club Sport Emelec forward Ayrton Preciado was exactly that and more in his home debut for his new club, which also coincided with the unveiling of newly upgraded Estadio Banco del Pacifico in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Preciado endeared himself to the Emelec faithful by recording a brace, but ultimately New York City FC rallied from 2-nil down to spoil the stadium christening. NYCFC midfielder John Stertzer slotted home the game-tying goal in the final minute of stoppage time, and the teams settled for a 2-2 draw in a match largely dominated by the home side.

Another Look: John Sterzer levels the score for #NYCFC at the death pic.twitter.com/KaccZsSIvf

— New York City FC (@NYCFC) February 9, 2017

NYCFC looked every bit like a team playing its first preseason game in a different hemisphere, struggling to string possession together while remaining unorganized in the back. An obvious lack of mid-season fitness also caused the visitors to look lethargic.

Surprisingly, NYCFC’s starting XI was littered with regulars, especially in the attack. One of the lone bright spots for City was 16-year-old Academy phenom James Sands, who drew the start playing underneath Andrea Pirlo and Tommy McNamara in a defensive midfield role.

New York City FC/MLS

Sands was out of position at times and received a bloody nose from a blow to the face in the 39th minute, but overall put in a decent shift. The youngster was one of the few light blue shirts consistently flying toward the ball to close space while several teammates jogged around with offseason intensity.

Sands recently turned heads as the first NYCFC Academy player ever called into first-team camp. While the team struggled as a whole against Emelec, he showed flashes of the tenacity and upside that earned him the call up.

NYCFC forward Sean Ugo Okoli‘s performance was another positive takeaway from the match. The 24-year-old made himself dangerous in his short shift, eventually tallying the first goal for the visitors on a beautiful shot from outside the box that found the upper left corner.

Despite the poor performance from NYCFC, not too many conclusions can be drawn considering the rust and deliberate lack of passion expected in a preseason opener. City can at least find solace in eking out an undeserved result as it prepares for its arch-nemesis New York Red Bulls next Wednesday.

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