📝New York City FC 1-1 NY Red Bulls: 9-man NYC come back to draw | OneFootball

New York City FC looked sluggish in the first half but earned a point even after losing two players to red cards.

The home side showed few signs in the opening half hour but David Villa hit side netting with a volleyed shot in the 26th minute.

The Red Bulls worked the ball on the left side after a recycled corner kick before Daniel Royer crossed a ball into the center of the 18-yard box. Bradley Wright-Phillips did well to redirect the ball past goalkeeper Sean Johnson while falling backwards in the 37th minute.

In the closing minutes of the half, Eloi Amagat earned a straight red card. On his NYC FC debut, the veteran Spanish midfielder connected the bottom of his cleats on Marc Rzatkowski’s leg just feet in front of the referee. Ted Unkel raised his red card in the 40th minute.

After losing Amagat, David Villa had a chance but his right-footed shot caromed back off the near post after beating Luis Robles in the 45th minute.

Half-time substitute Jo Inge Berget combined with Villa before the Spaniard equalised under Robles in the 52nd minute. Berget nodded on a long ball from Maxi Moralez into the path of Villa just outside the top of the box.

After the tying goal, NYC FC was again undone by a ugly challenge. Unkel showed Ebenezer Ofori a red card in the 73rd minute after VAR for stepping on the back of Wright-Phillips’s left ankle. Home fans may see the call as unfair but slow-motion replays showed Ofori making a dangerous challenge that endangered the safety of an opponent.

With just 9 players on the field, New York City pushed the issue in the second half. Moralez was a consistent outlet for the home side while his team-mates threw their bodies in front of Red Bulls’ shots.

NYC FC will be pleased to come back and earn a result, especially considering their two dismissals. Having been in prime position at half-time, NYRB may be disappointed not to hold on but they still have the edge in the MLS Eastern Conference standings.