FLUSHING, NY (SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-APRIL 06-07, 2024)-NYCFC played a 1-1, draw with Atlanta United FC in first of five-game Homestand on Saturday's evening match at CitiField in Flushing, New York.

With the 1-1, tie, The Boys in Blue who are known for carrying the youngest roster of players under 23-years of age this season improved to 1-2-4, and registered 5-points overall in the MLS Eastern conference standings.


NYCFC, who won its first MLS title in 2021, went to the offensive from the start with
two-counter attacks in span of 5-minute during the first 13' minute of the game.  

Midfielder Santiago Rodrigues kicked a right-footed from 30-yards away over the goal crossbar at 8' mark and forward Mounsef Bakrar barely missed a goal when he shot a rolling right-footed to the opposite goal five minutes later.

Atlanta answered back with 3-consecutive counter-attack of their own within the next five minute and clear opportunity to open the game score that were save by NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Defender Noah Cobb missed a perfect chance to score when he received the ball inside the 6-yard box but it was contained by Freese and midfielders Saba and T. Almada through two counter-attacks through the right and  leftside field were neutralized by Freese as well.

With the clock winding down in the first half, Santiago Rodrigues was brought down inside the 18' by Atlanta's midfielder Tristan Muyumba for penalty shot call by the referee. Rodrigues executed the penalty kick to score his third goal of the season at 43' and put New York in front 1-0, over the Five Stripes at the half.

In the second half, Atlanta's midfielder Jamal Thiare found the equalizer at the 63' mark when he received a center pass by midfielder Edwin Mosquera inside the 18' and scored with a header for his third goal in his MLS career.

The Boys in Blue tried two final counter-attacks through Santiago Rodriguez but the 
shots were contained by Atlanta's goalkeeper Brad Guzan for the final score of 1-1, between NYCFC and Atlanta United FC.