Impossible worse. New York City FC ended up beaten 0-3 by Puebla in their debut in the 2025 Leagues Cup. An early goal from Argentine Juan Fedorco, a goal from Uruguayan Emiliano Gómez and another from Mexican Owen González sealed the beating of Puebla’s “Los Camoteros” against NYCFC on the opening day of the international tournament.
The Sports Illustrated Stadium located in Harrison (New Jersey, USA), which is the home of the New York Red Bulls, changed colors for one night to host the rival and enemy team this Tuesday: New York City.
But the light blue team suffered a hard blow as soon as they came out of the locker room with a goal in the 2nd minute by Fedorco, captain of Puebla, who took great advantage of a corner. He entered quickly through the center of the area and with a low touch beat New York goalkeeper Matt Freese.
It was a lackluster start for the “Citizens” against a Puebla team much more established and concentrated on the playing field of the “Garden States.”
However, those from Puebla, led by Argentine Pablo Guede, suffered a notable setback midway through the first half with two injuries practically at the same time to Édgar Guerra and Franco Moyano. Emiliano Gómez and José Pachuca came in his place.
The domain of “La Franja” of Puebla, with a scheme of three center backs and two wingers, continued on a very hot day with about 95 degrees Fahrenheit and almost 40% humidity.
NYCFC could not save a single clear chance in a very disappointing first half and in which it was clear that they greatly missed Costa Rican forward Alonso Martínez, a substitute despite the fact that last Friday he scored a hat trick and was named best player of the day in the MLS.
In addition, those from the Big Apple were 0-2 before going to the locker room after a great play on the right by Owen González and Alejandro Organista, which ended with a perfect pass for the shot by Uruguayan Emiliano Gómez entering from behind with a lot of power.
Luck also did not smile on New York City because the referee gave a penalty from Fedorco to his compatriot Nico Fernández but after the VAR review that decision was annulled.
New York City tried to stretch out in the second half and take over the ball. He achieved it against a backward Puebla, but coach Pascal Jansen’s pupils did not have the nerve to truly threaten the Puebla goal of a tremendously confident Jesús Rodríguez throughout the match.
Furthermore, the visitors were millimeters away from closing the win with a shot from González, after a blunder at the start of the home team, which inexplicably ended up hitting the post.
The introduction of Alonso Martínez in the 60th minute felt like a boost of oxygen for the New Yorkers. The “Tico” striker radically changed the attack and the chances began to accumulate: a shot by Jonathan Shore and another by Martínez that was stopped with great merit by the goalkeeper Rodríguez; a shot with the chest of the Central American that, without a goalkeeper, went to the crossbar; and an attempt by Julián Fernández.
They were undoubtedly NYCFC’s best moments against an opponent too castled in their area, but the Americans were unable to find the way to the goal to the lament of their fans who accompanied them from the stands.
On the other hand, Puebla’s “Camoteros” completed the win with a goal from Owen González in the 88th minute after a splendid collective play to seal a very firm and solid performance in their presentation in the Leagues Cup 2025, a competition that pits the MLS clubs from the United States against those from Mexico’s Liga MX.
This is how they aligned
– New York City FC (0): Matt Freese; Mitja Ilenic (Tayvon Gray, m.60), Strahinja Tanasijevic, Justin Haak, Nico Cavallo (Kevin O’Toole, 45); Aiden O’Neill (Máximo Carrizo, 60), Jonathan Shore; Julián Fernández, Nico Fernández (Andrés Perea, 45), Agustín Ojeda; Seymour Reid (Alonso Martínez, 60).
– Coach: Pascal Jansen (English/Dutch).
– Puebla (3): Jesus Rodriguez; Luis Rey (Denilson Paz, 85), Juan Fedorco, Nicolás Díaz; Édgar Guerra (Emiliano Gómez, 23), Alejandro Organista (Iker Moreno, 45), Franco Moyano (José Pachuca, 23), Miguel Ramírez, Owen González; Ariel Gamarra and Ricardo Marín (Esteban Lozano, 85).
– Coach: Pablo Guede (Argentine).
– Goals: 0-1, m.2: Fedorco; 0-2, m.38: Gómez. 0-3, m.88: González.
– Referee: Ivan Barton. He cautioned Cavallo, Carrizo and Haak in New York City and Moyano, Pachuca and Díaz in Puebla.
– Incidents: Match of the first day of the Leagues Cup 2025 played at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison (New Jersey, USA).
(With EFE report)
