NYCFC Finish 6th In Conference, Head To Play-offs

Neither side made any changes at halftime, as City attempted to find a route back into the contest. At the other end, Montréal were keen to protect their lead and exploit the kind of fast transition opportunities that had put them two goals ahead. 

City’s first real chance of the half fell to Parks in the 53rd minute after Wolf pulled the ball back to him on the edge of the box – a well-timed block snuffing out the opportunity. 

The hour mark saw a first change for City as Mitja Ilenič replaced Gray. City almost found the goal they had been craving four minutes later when a dangerous cross from Haak was glanced toward goal by Parks – Sirois reacting well to gather the ball. 

Cushing made two further changes in the 70th minute as Andrés Perea and Julián Fernández replaced Haak and Wolf. 

A City goal almost arrived moments after those changes thanks to a beautiful link-up between Rodríguez, Ilenič, and Martínez, but the Costa Rican could not keep his volleyed effort on target. 

New York’s final change of the evening came in the 79th minute as Risa replaced Moralez. One of Cushing’s changes almost found the net when Fernández connected with Kevin O’Toole’s deep cross, but unfortunately, the Argentine could not keep his half-volley under the crossbar. 

City fought valiantly until the final whistle, but in the end, they walked away from Stade Saputo having suffered a 2-0 defeat.