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NYCFC II

2024 US Open Cup Round 5: New Mexico United blanks final MLS NEXT Pro team, returns to Quarterfinals

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New Mexico United players celebrate after scoring a goal against NYCFC II in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Lovato - New Mexico United
New Mexico United players celebrate after scoring a goal against NYCFC II in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Lovato – New Mexico United

The clock struck midnight for New York City FC II in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday night. Against a deep, well-performing New Mexico United, the last remaining MLS NEXT Pro team fell, 3-0, at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University in Queens, New York. 

“I’m super proud for the club tonight. It’s not easy. A lot of long travel. Credit to New York City FC II for making it this far. They (have) a quality squad with a lot of young up and comers that have bright futures,” said New Mexico United head coach Eric Quill. “I thought we played extremely well.”

Originally set for a 7:30 start, the match was delayed for over 30 minutes. Medical staff, particularly the ambulance, was caught in New York City traffic. However, that did not hinder the excitement of the crowd, officially marked at 534. However in person the total felt closer to sub 1,000.

The fervent NYCFC supporters chanted and had an impressive drumline. A large contingent of children from the organization’s academy sat nearby as well, looking to watch many of the same NYCFC II players that had played where they are currently. Not far away, an impressive contingent of NMU supporters sat in the Belson bleachers.

The traveling support meant a lot to the players on the field, and especially for New Mexico’s first-year manager.

“That’s why I came to New Mexico United was their fan base,” Quill said. “They are loyal, they’re committed, they’re energetic, they show up. It’s the state of New Mexico. That’s what I love about it. The team name is New Mexico United. It’s not a city, the whole state is behind it. You feel that on a day to day basis and you want to reward that commitment, that loyalty that they show.”

Both the home and away side were gifted with an entertaining, if not at times sloppy first half. NYCFC II started two notable first-team players, Jovan Mijatović and Strahinja Tanasijević. The former was playing in his second consecutive Open Cup game and second match overall in three days after a fierce Hudson River Derby win against the Red Bulls. On the other side, former New York City FC defender Chris Gloster started at left back for New Mexico United. The former U.S. youth national team player spent two years in the NYCFC organization with both the first and second teams.

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Each team had chances to produce the go ahead goal but failed to get anything threatening. An NYCFC corner kick in the 25th was headed over the net by defender Strahinja Tanasijević. A few minutes later, a free kick from 25 yards out was struck by Taylor Calheira looking for his fourth goal of the tournament. The low shot got through traffic but was saved by NMU goalkeeper Alexandros Tabakis.

In the 30th, a blocked New Mexico shot fell back at the feet of Marco Micaletto who launched a shot from outside the box. Despite going wide right, NYCFC keeper Tomás Romero.

The next best chance came in the 38th minute when New York City’s Piero Elias ripped a low shot from outside of the NMU box that went wide left.

One of New York’s best aspects was its ability to catch NMU offside. The backline, missing Christian McFarlane due to him playing with the England U-17s, was able to implement a high press. The risky tactic worked, as NMU was caught offside three times and only able to get three shots off.

The other key aspect of the first half was physicality. Players on each team earned a caution and both sides committed 12 fouls each ahead of halftime.

While New Mexico was being outshot at the break, 8-3, there was no nervousness according to defender Anthony Herbert.

“The goal today was to keep the clean sheet and even though things weren’t going well and the way that we expected, we know that we were one step ahead of continuing that and we had a clean sheet and we basically trust ourselves,” Herbert said. “We trust the team. We know if we keep the ball and we pass the ball and play with that to play, eventually we (will) score and that was it. (There) was no nervousness, there was no anger, the coach trusted us. We trust ourselves and we came out and we played our brand of football and it worked out for us.”

That mentality proved to be the case and the second half was the beginning of the end for the hosts.

In the 49th minute, Jovan Mijatović nearly capitalized on a poor defensive pass in the New Mexico end. Jonathan ‘JJ’ Jiménez jumped on the ball, running it into the box before passing off to the Serbian import. With just Alexandros Tabakis to beat, Mijatović shanked his shot wide right. The deflated look on his face was only matched by Jiménez throwing his hands over his hand in astonishment.

The game-winning goal came a minute later in the 50th minute. A throw-in from the NMU end found Micaletto at midfield. He passed off to Avionne Flanagan, who broke down the left flank and fired a strike past Romero into the top right corner.

Flanagan, who hadn’t played in nearly a month for his side, earned praise from his coach who knows how much the moment meant to him after going nearly a month without playing a match.

“I thought he was a game changer,” Quill said. “I’m proud of him. He’s kept his fight and his mentality. He deserved tonight’s goal.”

The situation spiraled for the home side not long after. In the 53rd minute, Samuel Owusu battled Micaletto for the ball near midfield, leading to the NYCFC player essentially slapping the midfielder from behind. Both teams came together to but ends, and as the dust settled Owusu was shown a straight red card for the offense. NMU’s Micaletto was also shown a yellow card for his part in the scuffle.

New Mexico looked to double its lead from there. A poor New York City clearance in the 58th was headed back towards a waiting NMU player, who fed Daniel Bruce for a shot that went just wide left of the net. Not long after, a United throw in deep in the NYC end began on the right side, came back to midfield, and eventually came into the box where Andrew “Drew” Baiera tried to head towards Romero. Instead, the ball went out for a corner kick.

That kick was played to Micaletto on the left side, who sent a long ball into the box towards a waiting Talen Maples. He lifted his right leg to redirect the ball into the left corner and passed a nearly non-moving Romero in the 65th minute.

As New York attempted to counter, trying in vain to cut into the deficit, the situation proved to be fruitless. The home side was limited to just four shots in the final 45 minutes. The team got very little time in the New Mexico box after going down to 10 men. The sloppy play also continued which gave New Mexico ample time to try and extend the lead, even as starters were beginning to get rotated out.

The game was iced in the 85th minute by a man who knows the field at Belson very well. Defender Anthony Herbert, who played for the St. John’s Red Storm in 2021, was in the right place in the 86th minute as a corner kick found Greg Hurst, who’s strike was saved by Romero. The ball floated in the air, allowing the Brooklyn native to jump up and head in the ball.

FULL MATCH VIDEO: NYCFC II vs. New Mexico United

“Well, for me it means a lot because I think it was really ironic being able to come back here finally be able to get my family to come to see me because (my team is) all the way in New Mexico,” Herbert said after the game. “For me as a footballer it was always a roller coaster. I was (at Ocean City Nor’easters in USL League Two), then I was at St. John’s and I got a deal in Finland in the premier division and now I’m back home. I’m just enjoying the moment, enjoying the career and working out every day to see where it takes me.”

NYCFC II’s run ends with multiple positives. The team earned the $25,000 prize as the farthest reaching Division III team in the tournament this year. Furthermore, the team now holds the honor of being the most successful MLS reserve team in the tournament’s history. That honor was previously held by Seattle Sounders 2, who reached the Round of 32 in 2015.

New Mexico heads to the Quarterfinals for the second time in team history, the first since the organization’s run in its inaugural 2019 season.

Scoring Summary

  • 50’ – New Mexico United – Avionne Flanagan (Marco Micaletto)
  • 65’ – New Mexico United – Talen Maples (Marco Micaletto)
  • 86’ – New Mexico United – Anthony Herbert

Lineups

New York City FC II: Tomás Romero (GK), Strahinja Tanasijević, Samuel Kwaku Owusu, Christopher Tiao, Andrew Baiera, Taylor Calheira, Jacob Arroyave, Piero Elias (Klevis Haxhari 81’), Jovan Mijatović, Jonathan Jiménez, Máximo Carrizo (Jake Rozhansky 64’)

Unused subs: Camil Azzam Ruiz, Matthew Leong, Stevo Bednarsky, Jonathan Shore, Will Meyer

Manager: Matt Pilkington

New Mexico United: Alexandros Tabakis (GK), Jon-Talen Maples, Anthony Herbert, Chris Gloster (Harry Swartz 75’), Abdi Mohamed, Marco Micaletto (Dominick Hernandez 75’), Landry Nanan Houssou, Zico Bailey, Daniel Bruce (Greg Hurst 83’), Avionne Flanagan (Arturo Astorga 75’), Mukwelle Akale (Jackson Dubois 87’)

Unused subs: Dayonn Harris, Kristopher Shakes

Manager: Eric Quill

Yellow Cards

  • Strahinja Tanasijević, NYCFC II 9’
  • Landry Nanan Houssou, New Mexico United 20’
  • Eric Quill (Head coach, officially given to the bench), New Mexico United 30’
  • Marco Micaletto, New Mexico United 55’
  • Jake Rozhansky, NYCFC II 80’

Red Cards

  • Samuel Kwaku Owusu, NYCFC II 55’

Attendance

Official: 534
Unofficial: 900~

2024 US Open Cup Round 3: NYCFC II carry MLSNP flag after comeback OT win at Hartford Athletic

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NYCFC 2 players celebrate after scoring a goal against Hartford Athletic in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II
NYCFC 2 players celebrate after scoring a goal against Hartford Athletic in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

“These guys are killing me. We’re not supposed to be losing this!”

The words of a random, passing by Hartford Athletic staff member accounted for many of the opinions at Trinity Health Park on Wednesday night. After 120 minutes and multiple red cards, New York City FC II of MLS NEXT Pro advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup past the USL Championship side, 3-2 after extra time.

NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington said after the match that he knows how important a game like this is to his young players. He and the first team have regular discussions about who should be considered for a MLS call-up, and results like this play a huge part.

“It’s a massive opportunity for players to develop, and I don’t think we give enough attention to all the MLS NEXT Pro teams and other teams in this competition because they don’t often get to play USL teams or teams within the structure of the U.S.,” said Pilkington. “So I do think we should be celebrating this opportunity and celebrating the fact that we have young teams and young players at 16 years old and 17 years old competing against season pros and how that’s going to help their development. It’s going to help the development of the league, and it’s going to help the development of the country. So, the more opportunities we can give these players, the better.” 

Unlike NYCFC II’s game last round against New York Red Bulls II, no notable first-team players were in Wednesday’s lineup in Connecticut. In fact the only lineup change from the team’s league game on Sunday was in goal as Tomás Romero stepped up for his second straight USOC match instead of Alex Rando.

The home side came out swinging as the rain poured down on Trinity Health Stadium. The announced crowd of 2,517, including the ruckus Bonanza supporters and traveling members of The Third Rail, tried to cheer on their respective teams as the temperature began to drop. Enoch Mushagalusa and Mamadou Dieng both had dangerous looks in the first six minutes. A sixth minute header by Dieng looked to be the opening goal but it was called offside by the linesman. Other highlights included multiple bicycle kick attempts by Dieng that couldn’t get on target.

New York got periodic chances at the other end. A corner kick in the 40th minute, the Baby Blues first of the match, was easily cleared. The visitor’s only had three shots total, none on target, and entered halftime with 39% possession. On the other side, Hartford had eleven shots with four being on target.

The second half marked a tonal shift for both teams. While New York started where it left off on the backfoot, the possession game was slowly creeping in their favor.  Still Hartford had control, with former New York Red Bulls player Reece Buckmaster got behind the backline but shot wide left against his former team’s biggest rival.

In the 63rd minute, NYCFC II started a quick counter with Taylor Calheira finding Jonathan Jiménez on the right side. Last round’s hat-trick hero got into the box, beat one defender before getting past another sliding one. Keeper Paul Walters tried to come out but Jiménez fed the ball back to Calheira for the empty net tap in.

It was a moment that completely went against the run of play. And it felt like Hartford quickly went into panic mode, using all three standard substitute windows to bring in five players within 11 minutes of the go-ahead goal. These players included experienced ones like Joe Farrell, Deshane Beckford, and journeyman forward Romario Williams.

NYCFC 2 players celebrate after beating Hartford Athletic 3-2 in extra time in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II
NYCFC 2 players celebrate after beating Hartford Athletic 3-2 in extra time in the Third Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

Hartford’s offense, buoyed especially by Williams and fellow sub Marcus Epps, employed a high press to try and box in NYCFC. It almost looked as though the game was back level in the 72nd minute when a Dieng shot was blocked by Romero. With the ball in the air, the keeper tried to catch or punch it away but missed, possibly influenced by the slick surface, sending the ball towards the line. However Romero was just able to snatch the ball before it crossed over the goalline, much to the ire of the home crowd.

In the 78th minute HFD got its break when  NYCFC II defender Alexander Hauschild brought down former Williams in the box during an attack on the right side. The former Jamaican national team player shot right down the middle to equalize in the 81st minute.

Both teams had chances to win it late, especially in an extended stoppage time. A heavy challenge by New York’s Piero Elias against Beverly Makangila was a sign of things to come. Makangila was helped off the field and left the game, replaced by Anderson Asiedu at the start of extra time.

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The Baby Blue saw yellow, but William’s seemed to take justice into his own hands. Right as play resumed in the 90+8’ with a goal kick, the forward jumped and barrelled Jake Rozhansky from behind in the air right in front of the sideline. Williams earned a yellow of his own, with the nearby bench voicing their displeasure (most of which was caught on the sideline microphone and heard on the broadcast). Head coach Brendan Burke was shown yellow and eventually assistant coach and former player Aaron Wheeler was shown a straight red.

As emotions heated up, the whistle blew to signal full time. Neither team had ever played extra time in a competitive match, let alone in the US Open Cup.

Extra time started quickly for both teams. Jiménez jumped on a loose ball in Athletic’s end and ran into the Hartford box. His shot was deflected by keeper Walters, but sent right back in the bath of NY’s Jonathan Shore. However the 17-year-old couldn’t get all of it and the attempted shot went wide right.

Hartford responded right off the subsequent goal kick. Williams headed the ball towards Deshane Beckford who got free on the left side. He drove into the box and scored past Romero to give Hartford its first lead of the game in the 92nd minute.

The lead didn’t last long though as New York’s attack found the team’s regular dynamic duo in the 99th minute. With the ball on the left edge of the box, Jiménez crossed the ball towards Calheira. A downward header got past Walters, bouncing off the ground and into the net for a brace to tie the game.

“I saw JJ had the ball and he’s good with putting that little chip ball in,” said number 99 about his 99th minute goal. “So I was trying to get a little separation with the center back. Once the ball was in the hair I knew as long as I got my head on it I knew I had a great chance.”

It’s the second time Jiménez has assisted Calheira on a goal this tournament. Not surprising considering the two spent a lot of time together, even carpooling up to Wednesday’s night’s game.

From the start of the second ET half NYCFC dominated, beginning with a Máximo Carrizo shot that easily went wide right. In the 109th minute, Jiménez got under a cross on the left side in open play. Getting close to the box, his shot was saved by Walters. The rebound fell right to Carrizo in the box, who point-blanked a strike into the net for the subsequent game winner. New York ended the second ET outshooting Hartford 5-0.

“It’s great. I mean, it’s fantastic for him and the work he’s put in. He’s quite young, so we have to manage his loads at times, but he looks fresher and fitter than he’s been,” said coach Pilkington about Carrizo. “He comes alive around the box. He nearly scored in extra time before he got the goal, so he’s dangerous. I think even towards the end, for him to play 90 plus 30 in a game like this just shows how hard he’s working in training and how hard he’s been working in games so far this season.” 

Things got ugly before the end as Hartford got more physical. A foul by Athletic brought Joe Schmidt in the face of referee Christian Centeno, who showed him a yellow. Anderson Asiedu was then shown yellow for essentially checking an NYCFC player from behind in the 119th.

In the next minute, a potential Hartford breakaway was stopped when Marcus Epps was pulled down from behind by Rozhansky who pulled him by the jersey. The two teams converged and Epps made contact with Rozhansky, either a punch or a shove to the face, sending the City player to the ground.

Rozhansky was shown yellow, Epps was given a straight red card.

After the subsequent free kick for Hartford, now playing with 10 men, New York cleared the ball with Rozhansky running up the left sideline. Beckford entered from stage right, slid right into the NYCFC player’s legs, and brought the two teams together once again. This time with more physical contact between the two sides. Beckford and NYCFC’s Chris Tiao were both shown straight reds for violent conduct. The game ended not long after.

The result marks the second time an NEXT Pro team has ever beaten a USL Championship team in the tournament (2022 Round 2; St. Louis CITY SC 2 vs Indy Eleven). It also makes NYCFC II the lone remaining MLSNP team in the 2024 tournament. The team now has a chance to play either more USLC competition or, possibly, a team from Division 1 Major League Soccer.

“That’s our goal. When we came into this game, we knew in the next round, the big dogs (would) come in,” Calheira said. “We’re all developing, and that’s where we want to be at the end of the day. The better the competition, the better we move on, the better we grow as teammates, and that’s what we can do moving forward.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: JJ Jimenez hat trick helps NYCFC II win reserve version of Hudson River Derby over Red Bulls II

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Players from NYCFC II and New York Red Bulls II battle for the ball in a Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II
Players from NYCFC II and New York Red Bulls II battle for the ball in a Second Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC II

On a rainy night in Queens, New York City FC II did something its parent team has never done – beat a professional soccer team from New York City. NYCFC II knocked off rival and fellow MLS NEXT Pro side New York Red Bulls II, 4-2, mostly thanks to a hat-trick from Jonathan “JJ” Jiménez.

NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington said after the match that making team history, being the first NYCFC professional outfit to beat an Red Bulls unit in a knockout competition (Open Cup, Leagues Cup) means something.

“Not only is it a derby, it’s a cup game, it’s a home game. There’s a lot at steak tonight. It makes it a little bit sweeter,” said Pilkington. “I thought we had a really good test tonight. (Red Bulls II are) a really good team. They’re really well coached … I thought it was a good derby match and entertaining lots of goals and good for the fans.”

Jiménez echoed that point as he spoke to the media after his performance, emphasizing how the team had been preparing since its last league match last week.

“We have been preparing all week,” he said. “We know it’s a derby, and we know it’s win or go home. So, we prepared (mentally) more than preparing our bodies and we got ready for a fight.”

New York City II entered the match missing a handful of players due to them playing in 

2024 Generation Adidas Cup. While Red Bulls II looked to be the stronger side, head coach Ibrahim Sekagya’s lineup had some glaring omissions. These included keeper A.J. Marcucci and defender Omar Valencia, who started the game on the bench.

The Red Bulls got on the board early thanks to a run up the left side by Serge Ngoma. His low cross into the box hit off players from both teams, but Mohammed Sofo pivoted to get a left footed strike off on the loose ball. The shot went right towards Tomás Romero, but slipped through his legs to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute.

It was the third time the Baby Blues conceded a goal within the first ten minutes of a match this season. However, the home side was able to counter in the 22nd minute. A NYRB II goal kick and series of headed passes ended with Christian McFarlane feeding Jiménez. The forward was on side and between defenders as New York pressed high. With a defender on him, Red Bulls keeper Dallas Odle came off the line to challenge. However, Jiménez sidestepped the keeper to his right and punched in the tying goal.

Momentum fully swung towards the home side, who cut through the Baby Bulls defense. Bulls II head coach Ibrahim Sekagya played three center backs to start the game, telling the media afterwards that usual starting left back Omar Valencia was dealing with an injury late in the week. City II was able to capitalize this and continued to find holes in the first 45.

Jiménez struck again in the 38th minute, as a long kick from City’s end found him in the middle of the field. A slick move past the covering defender set up another 1-v-1 with Odle, who the forward once again rounded to make it 2-1.

According to Jiménez he and his team knew exactly how to play against their Hudson River Derby rivals. 

“We basically planned for it, we knew that they were going to press us building out,” said Jiménez. “We wanted to play out the back and break their press because we knew once we broke that press, we were in behind – Me, Malachi , Agustín , and myself just running behind. We all have pace, any ball in behind, we’re going to get.”

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Roald Mitchell had a chance to tie the game in the 41st minute with a shot that rang off the left post. New York countered with a chance to extend the lead at the other end and kept the ball there.

Malachi Jones, the 8th overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, had a stellar night as well. He got on the scoresheet in the 45th minute when a series between Piero Elias and Taylor Calheira set him up at the left post. He chipped Odle and a last ditch NYRB II defender to make it 3-1.

In the second half, coach Sekagya’s group came out hot. Mitchell continued his late half momentum with an easily saved shot in the 47th minute.

But forty seconds later, a long pass to Mohammed Sofo allowed him to through pass to Ngoma in the box. Running toward the left side, Ngoma shot low and towards the right to cut into the deficit.

The visitors continued to have momentum in the second half, controlling possession and keeping NYCFC out of their end. In the 62nd, substitute Omar Valencia crossed a pass into the box from the left side, a part of the field NYRB frequented throughout the night. While the pass was intercepted, Ngoma charged for the loose ball in the box and was tripped by NYC’s Christopher Tiao. The Red Bulls’ Julian Hall stepped up for the potential tying penalty kick, the 16 year old’s shot was saved by Tomás Romero to keep it 3-2.

After the match, Romero, who joined the NYCFC first team earlier this year and is officially a “loan” to the reserve team, said he had a feeling what Hall was going to do to try and throw him off during the penalty run up.

“Nowadays, a lot of guys are doing that pause thing where they run up and pause . So, I kind of expected it,” said Romero. “Something was telling me he was going to do it and I think he stopped right before. So on those, you really have to just stay in your position as long as possible and wait for him to make the decision. I kind of tell by his body shape where he was going, and I just waited until the last second and went for it. It was a big moment in the game and I’m happy about that. I’m proud that I was able to save it.”

Asked about his player’s miss, coach Sekagya said Julian Hall will have plenty of time to grow and move on from it. Especially since his team will be back at Belson Stadium on April 10 to face NYCFC II in the regular season.

“(It’s) unlucky for him, but he’s a player which we know that he’s a strong young boy. He can come away from that. We talked about it,” said Sekagya. “We just encourage him to think about it and he will take more.”

New York (the red one from New Jersey) continued to look for an equalizer against New York (the blue one from New York) for the rest of the half. A 72nd minute shot by Steven Sserwadda curved over a defender’s leg and looked to be heading for just under the crossbar but hit off the hand of an outstretched Romero to force a corner. That chance pales in comparison to the one five minutes later, when Sofo sent a long pass to Hall on the left side. The young Bull sent a high cross into the box, where Mitchell flew into frame to attempt a shot. NYCFC II’s Alexander Hauschild blocked the ball off the line, where it hit off the right post and then off the hand of Mitchell to end the play.

The home side got the final say in the 85th minute when in the 85th minute when Taylor Calheira’s shot from the top of the box struck the hand of Red Bull defender Juan Gutierrez, earning him the night’s first and only yellow card. It was also NYCFC II’s first shot on target of the half. Jiménez calmly sent the keeper to the right post while sliding the ball towards the left one. The goal sealed the result, notched Jiménez his first hat-trick as a professional, and eventually saw NYCFC II become the first MLSNP side to qualify for the Third Round.

Jiménez noted afterwards though that it wasn’t actually his first-ever hat-trick as a player.

“On the hat trick, it’s actually a cool story. My first ever hat trick was against Red Bulls when I was in the academy,” the forward said. “When I was in high school, I think I scored four, and now I did it here (in the pros), so it is just amazing.”

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: NYCFC II travels to New Jersey, dominates FC Motown 3-0

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Players from NYCFC II celebrate in their First Round match against FC Motown in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: New York City FC II
Players from NYCFC II celebrate in their First Round match against FC Motown in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: New York City FC II

Playing at the home of their birthright rivals, New York City FC II left Montclair State University with their first ever US Open Cup win. The reserve team from Queens, NY beat FC Motown of the National Premier Soccer League, 3-0.

“I thought the boys put in a really good effort today,” said NYCFC II head coach Matt Pilkington. “This was a different game for us because it was a competition, (a) knockout game, and we talked about how excited the guys are to play in these competitions and to test themselves… It was a really good experience for the group, and I thought they really took on the challenge really well.”

In front of 450 fans at MSU Soccer Park, and without the snow squall that ripped through the field during the previous night’s Open Cup game, the younger side came out of the gate quickly. Despite two early chances by Motown’s Joe Fala, including a header that required a diving save by Alexander Rando, the Baby Blues looked more confident with the ball.

A break down the middle by Jacob Arroyave allowed him to place the ball at the feet of captain Taylor Calheira at the top of the box. He punched a shot into the top left corner past Motown goalkeeper David Greczek in the ninth minute to make it 1-0.

The goal was Calheira’s first as a member of New York City FC II. In fact, every goal scored on the night was that player’s first goal for the team.

“It was a great experience to perform for the team in New York City and get my first goal,” said Calheira. “But most importantly, performing with the team we knew that we had to come out early, score early, and play well. It meant a lot being the captain, too, and leading the team.”

The visitors showed no signs of stopping and nearly capitalized on a Motown defensive error in the 16th minute. A backpass at the top of the box was intercepted by Jonathan Jimenez, who shot right at Greczek. The keeper bobbled the pass and players from both teams jostled before the ball went out for a corner.

Not long after, Jimenez sent a long ball towards the right side of the field and a running Jonathan Shore. A tic-tac-toe of passes along the top of the box left Motown out of place. Calheira sent the ball back into the middle, where it deflected off a defender before a charging Andrew Baiera pump faked the home side and put it into the right corner.

NYCFC looked poised to add to their lead as the first half wore on. When everything was said and done the reserve team outshot Motown 34 to 4 in total shots taken. Motown, veterans of the US Open Cup who hold the active streak for consecutive qualifications by an Open Division team (7), looked slow on the ball. Unable to make convincing runs into the opposing end.

Fala was able to use his size advantage against the much smaller New York players, but their numbers and ability to cut off his passes made him a hermit on offense.

Motown head coach Dilly Duka, a former Major League Soccer player and a legend with the home side, knows first hand the challenges amateur teams face in the Open Cup. Having played in multiple tournaments with Morristown it’s never been easy to get match ready two months before the regular season starts.

“That’s the thing with the amateur team. We’re pulling guys early in the year that are not as fit,” said Duka. “We’re hoping to get these experienced guys. You’re up against a team that has the chemistry, that’s been training that’s been in preseason like a New York City FC II. It’s gonna be difficult.”

At halftime, Duka opted to replace the struggling Da Fonte with Handy Coby Jean Rodriguez. The Haitian has a history of saving the team, like he did in the 2022 NPSL Championship where he scored both the late equalizer and go-ahead goals to win the title. While the midfielder brought that much needed speed, and at times shored up the holes to stop City’s transitions, he wasn’t enough.

New York could have had more goals in the second half if it wasn’t for Greczek, a former pro with Swope Park Rangers, and the woodwork. In the 53rd minute a long shot by Calheira got past the keeper but hit off the left post and rolled down the goal line. A subsequent corner kick saw a shot ring off the crossbar. Motown countered and earned a corner of their own in the 59th, but a Fala header went right into the arms of Rando.

Once again, another misjudged back pass by Motown gave City II a chance to score in the 62nd. Calheira beat defender Jean Voltaire for the ball and ran into the right side of the box, shooting towards the left post. Greczek dove and stopped the ball with his fingertips, allowing his teammate to get it away.

“We’re a team that’s trying to put it together early in the year and it’s difficult fitness wise to get these guys going so early in the year,” Duka said after the game.

Still, New York was going to get a third. In the 65th minute, Calheira crossed in from the left side and found Maximo Carrizo to tap in the ball from the goalline. He and his teammates were able to celebrate in front of the traveling members of the Third Rail supporter’s group.

Despite more attempts being stopped by posts or an overworked keeper, including a hockey esc save that would impress Martin Brodeur, City would not find the net again. Still the youngsters left New Jersey with their organization’s first ever win in a knockout competition.

“We can obviously learn from tonight and we can learn from how to manage games and put games away, so we don’t have to run as much and fight as much towards the end,” said Pilkington. “I think that’s something we can take away. It’s from a learning perspective. Obviously, we don’t know who we will play yet, so once that happens, we’ll start to prepare accordingly. But I think the guys are really excited about how they played and can enjoy the moment and then look forward to the next match.”

It took NYCFC II only one Open Cup to get its first win. The first team took five.

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