BRONX, NY(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-SEPT 21-22, 2024)-Midfielder James Sands scored his first goal and played hero for NYCFC, by scoring the tying goal in stoppage time 90+5, against Lionel Messi and Inter-Miami FC, during a sunny Saturday's afternoon game and in front 45,000 + fans at legendary Yankees Stadium.

The "Herons' who are in first place and looking to secure the Supporters Shields with 4-games left in the 2024 MLS season, improves to 19-7-4, and 64-points while The Citizens registered to 11-8-11, with 41-points in 7th place in the MLS Eastern conference.

Both team went to the offensive and took a shot on goal in the first 10' minutes with NYCF's midfielder Santiago Rodrigues taking the first shot on goal from 20-yards away and missing wide to left-side goalpost at 2' mark, and 8' minute later on a free kick, he shot a low right-footed shot from 25-yards away, hitting the right goalpost and bouncing-off Goalkeeper's Drake Callender back out bound for a corner kick.

Lionel Messi kicked a left-footed from a direct free kick but it missed wide to the right-goal post at the 5' mark for Miami. 

The Herons kept the pressure and in another counter-attack through the middle, striker Lionel Messi passed the ball to Luis Suarez who gave it to Julian Gressel back to Suarez who shot at goal but it hit teammate Robert Taylor blocking the shot but it was called off-side by the referee.

With the game-clock winding down, Santiago Rodriguez stole the ball from defender Ian Frey, passed it to Hannes Wolf inside the 18' and give to Keaton Parks who all alone shot high and wide to the right-goalpost, and a minute later Alonso Rodriguez shot a right-footed from 25-yards away missing wide for a scoreless game at the half.

The Boys in Blue came onto the field more aggressive in the second half, Santiago Rodriguez in another counter-attack from the right-side field kicked a rolling pass inside the 18' to Hannes Wolf who shot a weak left-footed to the hands of goalkeeper Drake Gallender, missing the most clear opportunity of goal at 60' mark for NYCFC.


Miami answered back with a counter-attack of their own through the middle and opened the score through Leonardo Campana at 75' mark to put the Herons  1-0, over the Boys in Blue. The play was originated by Lionel Messi who sent the ball inside the penalty box to Jordi Alba who immediately gave it to Campana who tapped the ball in back of the net with a left-footed for his 8' goal of the season.

With the Herons leading 1-0, game time running out and what appear a clear victory for the Miami, Santiago Rodriguez kicked a corner kick in the inside 6-yard box in the last play of the game, finding midfielder James Sands who scored the equalizer with a header at 90+5, in stoppage time to send the team and the fans in a wild celebration. 

NYCFC will face NYRedBulls next Saturday September 28, at 7:00pm for another edition of the classic NY/NJ Derby match at RedBulls Arena in Harrison NJ

Article & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated