BRONX NY (SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS- AUGUST 17-18, 2025)-Striker Alonso Martinez scored late in the second half to help NYCFC overcome Nashville FC 2-1, on MLS play and during a Sunday's afternoon game at legendary Yankees Stadium in the Bronx NYC.

With the win, the Boys in Blue extend its winning-streak to 3, & tie in the last 4-games with 41-points and 8th place in MLS Eastern standings.

Nashville took the initiative from start, and almost scored in the first  00:21' of the game.Forward Jacob Shaffelburg on a fast-break through the right-side field
passed a prefect pass inside the 18' to striker Sam Surridge who shot a left-footed to the hands of goalkeeper Matt Freese for his first save of the game.

The visitors kept the pressure, and nine-minute later opened score when midfielder Hany Mukhtar received a pass over the midfield line and passed it to
Jacob Shaffelburg through the middle who outran two defenders inside the 18, and scored with a left-footed to the opposite left-goalpost for Nashville 1-0, at 10' mark.

NYCFC answered back with a counter-attack of their own when midfielder Maxi 
Morales received a long pass from midfield, ran inside the penalty box on a fast-break and shot a low right-footed to the hands of goalkeeper Joe Willis at 15' mark.

Midfielder Nicolas Fernandez barely missed the back of the net at 35' mark when he shot a left- volley shot from 20-yards away hitting wide out of bounce.
The Boys in Blue kept the pressure and five minute later found the equalizer through midfielder Andres Perea.

During a counter attack through the left-side field, forward Hannes Wolf passed the ball to Perea at top of the 18', cut across inside between 3-defenders and shot a right-footed bullet towards the right-goal post that ended in back of the net to tie the game 1-1, at 40' mark. 

After long rain-delayed, the game resumed  and closed with 1-1, draw at the half.

In the second half, the two teams traded counter-attacks without any danger at either goal for the next 30' until striker Alonso Martinez scored the winning goal at
77 mark to secure a  2-1, win for NYCFC over Nashville. 

The winning goal was originated from the midfield when Maxi Moralez passed a long pass to left-side field to forward Agustin Ojeda, who ran inside the penalty box and crossed the ball intended to Alonso Martinez who tapped-in the ball inside the back of the net for his 13th goal of the season.







   











Article Written & Photo By Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated