Fire storm back for draw with NYCFC

Updated: Aug 25, 2024, 03:41 am

Alonso Martinez scored twice in a span of seven minutes in the first half, but New York City FC endured a late collapse and settled for a 2-2 draw with the visiting Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

A week after a quarterfinal loss against the Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup, NYCFC (11-9-6, 39 points) saw their winless streak reach five matches (0-1-4) by conceding two goals in the final 12-plus minutes.

Hugo Cuypers ended New York's shutout bid in the 78th minute by scoring his 10th goal of the season. Cuypers made a slick move around NYCFC's Birk Risa and Kevin O'Toole and lifted a left-footed shot from the right side of the box over diving New York goalkeeper Matt Freese after getting a pass from Tobias Salquist.

In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, NYCFC committed a costly blunder when Tayvon Gray flailed his arms and committed a hand ball.

Chicago's Brian Gutierrez capitalized by scoring on a penalty kick for the second time in as many tries this season. He scored his sixth goal of the year overall by sending a right-footed shot past Freese, who then kicked the post in frustration.

Before the collapse, Martinez scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season in a match that NYCFC dominated for significant portions in the opening half.

Martinez opened the scoring in the 15th minute after he executed a hesitation move above the box on Chicago midfielder Kellyn Acosta before firing a right-footed shot that sailed over goalie Chris Brady and landed in the bottom right corner of the net.

Seven minutes later, Martinez struck again thanks to his teammates' ability to maintain possession following a throw-in. After Santiago Rodriguez moved the ball to Keaton Parks, Parks slid to keep the ball alive and get it to Martinez.

Martinez finished off the sequence by sending a right-footed shot from the center of the box over Brady's head.

Freese made his only save of the night in the 33rd minute when he stopped Allan Arigoni from scoring.

Brady made two saves.

Chicago (6-12-8, 26 points) is 2-2-2 in its past six matches.

--Field Level Media