Cincinnati Complete Stoppage Time Shock to Draw 4-4 at NYCFC

New York City FC and FC Cincinnati produced pure chaos at Yankee Stadium, sharing eight goals in a rollercoaster 4-4 draw that swung wildly before Cincinnati completed a dramatic stoppage-time escape.

NYCFC struck first on 20 minutes when a cross from the left by Kevin O'Toole was not dealt with by Roman Celentano, who spilled the ball into the danger area. Nicolás Fernández Mercau reacted instantly to fire home his seventh goal of the season.

Cincinnati responded in the 32nd minute with a sharp move. A quick throw-in released Sergio Santos, and his cross from the right picked out Kévin Denkey at the back post, where he finished left-footed past Matt Freese to make it 1-1.

But parity did not last long.

In the 35th minute Maxi Moralez sliced Cincinnati open with a first-time pass and Fernández burst through, using pace and power to get away before drilling a low finish into the bottom corner for his second of the night and eighth goal in nine games.

Half-time score NYCFC 2-1 FC Cincinnati

NYCFC extended their lead in the 53rd minute when Agustín Ojeda surged down the right at full speed before finishing calmly into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

Cincinnati thought they had pulled one back in the 57th minute when captain Evander curled home a brilliant effort after a lay-off from Tom Barlow, but VAR ruled it out for a foul in the build-up.

They did get their goal in the 64th minute. A free kick caused chaos inside the box and after a deflection, Kévin Denkey reacted quickest to finish past Freese. VAR checked it again but this time the goal stood.

NYCFC restored their two-goal cushion at 4-2 when substitute Talles Magno finished from close range after a low cross from Ojeda as Cincinnati momentarily switched off.

But the game turned deep into stoppage time.

In the 92nd minute Andrei Chirila struck from distance to make it 4-3 and suddenly set up a nervy finish.

Then in the 95th minute Cincinnati were awarded a penalty after O’Toole brought down Evander inside the area. The captain stepped up and converted to complete a remarkable comeback and seal a 4-4 draw. The strike also made Evander the all-time leading Brazilian-born scorer in MLS history with 44 goals.

Despite leading by two goals late on, New York City FC were forced to settle for a dramatic draw, extending Pascal Jansen’s winless run to five MLS matches.

For Pat Noonan, it was a stunning escape act as his side clawed a point from the brink of defeat.

Full Time: NYCFC 4-4 FC Cincinnati