New York City FC 1, Chicago Fire 0 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Dylan Butler

It’s now back-to-back wins for New York City FC, which followed an impressive victory over host D.C. United Sunday with a 1-0 triumph over the Chicago Fire Wednesday night, their first this season at Yankee Stadium.

New signing Heber, making his second start, played a part in a third consecutive NYCFC goal to give the Cityzens an early lead.

The Brazilian was played into space by Maxi Moralez after a clearance of a Fire corner kick. Heber played a perfect ball to the edge of the six-yard box where Valentin Castellanos slid to score his second goal in as many appearances.

The Fire thought they had an early second-half equalizer when CJ Sapong tapped in a pass from Nemanja Nikolic, but the offside flag was raised on Nikolic’s entry into the box.

Moralez was barged over by Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 90th minute and referee Robert Sibiga immediately pointed to the penalty spot. After hitting the woodwork at Audi Field on Sunday, the Argentine was denied by a diving David Ousted.

Chicago coach Veljko Paunovic had to watch the save that gave his team a late lifeline from the locker room after being sent off the touchline by Sibiga 10 minutes earlier.

Goals

9’ — NYC — Valentin Castellanos | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: A few days removed from everyone wondering what’s wrong with NYCFC and coach Dome Torrent admitting he was on the hot seat, the Cityzens have shot up the Eastern Conference table with consecutive wins. They move above the playoff line over the Fire, who had a four-match unbeaten streak snapped.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: It’s all about the goal and it was a perfectly-executed march up the tight confines at Yankee Stadium after initially defending a
Nicolas Gaitan
corner kick.

Caught 'em on the counter. 👌@tatycaste11anos puts @NYCFC up 1-0! #NYCvCHI https://t.co/BJMe4PDd4C
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 24, 2019

MAN OF THE MATCH: Heber felt relief, and joy of course, after scoring his first NYCFC goal in a 2-0 win over D.C. United and the Brazilian continued to enamor himself with the Cityzens fans with another influential performance. He’s had a role in each of NYCFC’s three goals in the two wins.