NYCFC inflicts more misery on struggling New England

Updated: Apr 14, 2024, 03:05 am

Agustin Ojeda scored his first MLS goal in the 57th minute and New York City FC earned a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.

After playing a combined 37 minutes as a substitute in his first four MLS matches, the 19-year-old capitalized on his first career start since joining NYCFC in February.

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NYCFC (2-4-2, 8 points) dominated possession for the first half and had nothing to show for it until Ojeda came through.

Kevin O'Toole moved the ball to Hannes Wolf through the box. Wolf's left-footed attempt from the center of the box was blocked by New England's Dave Romney but not cleared out by the Revolution.

Ojeda swooped in for the loose ball and celebrated after his right-footed shot from the center of the box sailed past New England goalkeeper Henrich Ravas. Ojeda scored after missing the net in the 18th and he nearly scored again in the 59th only to see Ravas stop his left-footed try from the left side.

Julian Fernandez tucked in a shot inside the left post in stoppage time after getting the ball around midfield and not being pressured. NYCFC scored two goals for the second time and ended a three-game winless skid.

NYCFC goalie Matt Freese made five saves for his seventh career shutout, and his biggest play was not even counted as a shot on goal. Freese got his right hand on a shot by Ryan Spaulding in the 79th before it trickled into the net after the ball was blocked by NYCFC defender Birk Risa.

Then right before stoppage time, Freese made a leaping save on a header by Tomas Chancalay from about seven yards out. Freese also stopped Chancalay in the 27th, Carlos Gil in the 28th and Giacomo Vrioni in the 34th to keep the game scoreless.

New England (1-5-1, 4 points) was blanked for the second time this season as it had eight shots and conceded 18.

Ravas stopped four shots.