A Different NYCFC Win In The U.S. Open Cup

Image Credit: Ernesto Diaz/Latino Sports

MOUNT VERNON, NY — NYCFC, an established MLS franchise, took the team bus from their training facility in Orangeburg located in Westchester County, NY and ventured a few miles down the road to Mount Vernon.

At Memorial Field, not Yankee Stadium or Citi Field, their home in MLS competition, rather much smaller and renovated. Different but suitable for the Westchester Soccer Club to host games in the relatively unknown USL League. On Tuesday evening, NYCFC took a brief break from their Major League Soccer schedule before resuming play Saturday evening at Citi Field in Queens.

And with a capacity of 5,000 or more, the Westchester Soccer Club is not comparable to MLS crowds, the salaries of players and rosters in the league. Many are embracing an opportunity to advance and sign with an MLS franchise, perhaps a few will earn that day.

Regardless, approximately 5,145 fans and many of the loyal NYCFC fans ventured to see their team compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the oldest and ongoing soccer competition. It’s also a time when NYCFC and other MLS teams involved in the knockout tournament can take another look at a certain player(s) who receives limited playing time during the long and hectic MLS season.

Yes, from all aspects, this is not MLS. The turf was green as the atmosphere was not of an MLS match, but that did not matter. It was a prestigious Round of 32 U.S. Open Cup matchup on the pitch. And NYCFC, with a different look of players, advanced with a 5-2 win.

Credit to Westchester SC, they played well but NYCFC even without some of the regulars put on a show and probably await the rival NY Red Bulls in the next round. Credit also to officials of Westchester who assured this would be a viable venue to host a U.S. Cup game as the bracket provided this opportunity, a MLS team from New York City.

And for NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen, it was also something different—of course with a win in between MLS play helping more with momentum for his team that sits with a tight bunch, fourth in the Eastern Conference.

He was satisfied with the attitude, opportunity for other players to get a chance, and the intensity. Overall, a satisfying experience and brief break from the MLS schedule.

“The atmosphere was great,” said Jansen. “One of my assistant coaches mentioned if it was a natural grass field, we would rather play here. Every time you can see it, or you play a bad game against a team like this from this level, you’ll get it back to you.”

In its eight years of participation, New York City FC has reached the Quarterfinals twice, representing the club’s deepest runs in the U.S. Open Cup to date. Additionally, NYCFC holds a 6-6-2 record all-time in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, including penalty shootouts.

But this had a different feel from NYCFC wins at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, the faithful who ventured to Westchester were loud and they looked more like the home team. 

Forward Agustín Ojeda recorded his first goal and his first assist in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. Talles Magno also marked a first with his first hat-trick in the U.S. Open Cup—marking his first goals in the competition.

And defender Tayvon Gray, who was born and raised a few miles from Memorial Field in the Wakefield area of the Bronx, recorded his first assist in Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup play. 

Defender Kamran Acito made his first appearance across all competitions for the First Team.

And that momentum that Jansen said is the shortest way to the silverware, the MLS Cup and another championship for the franchise that won it all in 2021.

“For us, it’s important,” he said. “The first game in the Cup to get a good start and make sure we continue this one within this tournament because we’re trying to get some silverware also. Even though we had two sloppy moments when we conceded two goals.”

Adding, “This match was technically billed as a derby, and with the way the open cup is structured, you could see these guys getting either home or away. From the moment I arrived here, everybody was excited. People at this club were also happy that they were playing against us because we have apparently a lot of fans also in this region.”

He was referring to the capacity crowd and NYCFC supporters, known to be rabid and the extra man on the pitch. There was also that comradery and reunion with Gray and former NYCFC II forward Jonathan Jiménez as they exchanged jerseys, the Mexican-American with Westchester who appreciates his role and with aspirations to make another run at a MLS contract.

“We’re building something,” said the 24-year old Jiménez. “Last year we didn’t make the playoffs so we’re trying to build something from the ground up and it’s a good experience. I’m excited for what’s ahead. I know some of these guys from training with them, coaching staff. We had some positive moments and that’s something we can definitely build on.”

And for NYCFC, an opportunity for the coach to see more progression from 18-year-old midfielder Jonathan Shore.

Jansen said this U.S. Cup Round of 32 match helped to add more playing time for the weeks and months ahead.

Overall, though a win for NYCFC as they advance in this prestigious tournament, perhaps a venue that was different from a typical MLS contest and something good for the franchise, Westchester, and the MLS.

Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content

Instagram: @latinosportsoficial

Facebook: Latino Sports

Twitter: @latinosports