New York City FC lost 2-1 to Deportivo Toluca in their final Leagues Cup Phase One match on Tuesday night. Alonso Martínez scored early for New York City, but goals from Jesús Ángulo and Paulinho secured the win for Toluca.
NYCFC entered the match needing a strong result and help from other teams to advance in the tournament. The team kept the same starting lineup that had achieved a significant victory over Club León in their previous game.
Martínez gave NYCFC an early lead with a long-range goal in the 10th minute. Toluca responded quickly, with Alexis Vega testing NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese. Around the half-hour mark, Tayvon Gray left the field due to injury and was replaced by Mitja Ilenič.
The match shifted when Joao Fernandes hit the crossbar and Ángulo scored on the rebound to tie the game. Minutes later, Paulinho put Toluca ahead after VAR overturned an initial offside call.
Tensions rose before halftime, resulting in several yellow cards for both teams. Freese made another important save just before the break to keep NYCFC within one goal.
In the second half, both teams created chances but could not score again. Maxi Ojeda had an early attempt blocked for NYCFC, while Helinho forced a save from Freese for Toluca. Head Coach Pascal Jansen made three substitutions just before the hour mark, bringing on Julián Fernández, Hannes Wolf, and Jonny Shore. Fernández nearly equalized with a shot that hit the crossbar.
Andrés Perea also tested Toluca’s goalkeeper as NYCFC pushed forward. Jansen used his final substitution in the 83rd minute by bringing on Seymour Reid for Justin Haak.
Despite late pressure from New York City FC, Toluca’s defense held firm and secured their win. The result eliminated NYCFC from further contention in this year’s Leagues Cup.
After the match, Head Coach Pascal Jansen said: “Despite our best efforts tonight we fell short of our objective and exit Leagues Cup earlier than we hoped. I am proud of how hard our players fought right until the end against tough opposition.”
