Real Salt Lake’s 14 shots cannot prevent New York City FC’s 2-0 win

New York City FC defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 at America First Field on Sunday, September 13, earning three points in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 25. Nicolás Fernández Mercau opened the scoring before Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos added a second after half-time.

Fernández Mercau breaks the deadlock

Real Salt Lake started in a 3-4-3 under P. Mastroeni, while New York City FC used a 4-3-3 led by P. Jansen. The first half remained scoreless until the 41st minute, when Fernández Mercau put New York City FC ahead. Agustin Ojeda supplied the assist, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead at the interval.

Real Salt Lake made two changes at half-time’s approach shortly after the break, bringing on Kobi Henry and Colin Guske for Juan Arias and Luca Moisa in the 57th minute. The changes did not produce an immediate equaliser. Instead, New York City FC doubled its advantage in the 61st minute, with Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos scoring from another Ojeda assist.

Freese keeps the hosts out

The scoreline did not reflect Real Salt Lake’s share of the attacking numbers. The hosts held 52% possession, completed 410 accurate passes compared with New York City FC’s 373, and produced 14 total shots to the visitors’ six. Real Salt Lake also won the corner count 10-1 and registered six shots on goal.

New York City FC’s defence absorbed that pressure effectively. Matthew Freese made six saves, while Real Salt Lake’s goalkeeper made one. The visitors had three shots on goal and converted two of them, while Real Salt Lake’s greater volume failed to beat Freese.

Discipline and late changes

Real Salt Lake’s Alexandros Katranis was booked in the 64th minute, followed by Lineker Rodrigues five minutes later. New York City FC’s Kevin O’Toole received a yellow card in the 81st minute, and Freese was cautioned in the 90th. No red cards were recorded.

Further substitutions saw Sergi Solans replaced by Rodrigues and Philip Quinton replaced by Aiden Hezarkhani in the 67th minute, while New York City FC withdrew Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos for Bénie Adama Traoré in the 72nd. Morgan Guilavogui then made way for Taylor Booth in the 76th minute.

Table position and standout performer

The result leaves Real Salt Lake 10th in the Western Conference with 29 points from 23 games, while New York City FC is ninth in the Eastern Conference with 29 points from 24 matches. Real Salt Lake had entered the game after a loss, while New York City FC’s most recent pre-match result was a draw.

Fernández Mercau was the standout performer, receiving an 8.2 rating after playing all 90 minutes. His goal, two shots on target and one key pass underpinned New York City FC’s efficient victory.