New York City FC defeat Tigres as Leagues Cup journey lives on

In front of a surprisingly hostile crowd at Red Bull Arena, New York City FC extended their journey in the 2024 Leagues Cup, dispatching Liga MX side Tigres 2-1. With goals from Maxi Moralez and Santi Rodríguez, the Boys in Blue overcame an aggressive showing from both Tigres and the team's strong traveling fanbase.

Ahead of kickoff, this game was talked up as the end of the line for New York City's tournament. But it was an intense and impressive display for Boys in Blue. With chances and challenges setting the tone early on, Nick Cushing and his side knew that Tigres would be a physical opponent more than capable of controlling the game. This was proven early, as a well-worked freekick gave Tigres an early lead in the 19th minute, courtesy of a Guido Pizarro header. But NYCFC responded less than 90 seconds later through a goal from Moralez, setting the stage for a back-and-forth contest that was unlike the unfocused games seen from Cushing's side this tournament.

After the start of the second half, Cushing's side began to apply more pressure on the Tigres backline, not taking their foot off the gas following Moralez's equalizer. This pressure ultimately paid off, as Rodríguez nicked the go-ahead goal, stunning the Tigres players and supporters alike. Once New York City grabbed the lead, they didn't let go, holding on for a memorable Leagues Cup victory — and the club's first-ever win over the eight-time Liga MX Champions.

The stars step up

After two penalty shootout wins and an embarrassing collapse vs Cincinnati, New York City were due for a big game from their stars, and they delivered. Rodríguez and Moralez stole the show for NYCFC Tuesday night, with the duo providing the goals to edge past Tigres.

With Cushing deciding to bring Moralez back into the Starting XI, this pushed Rodríguez out of his usual No 10 role and into a slot on the left wing. With Talles Magno loaned out to Corinthians in Brazil, and Malachi Jones out while he recovers from a broken leg, Rodríguez's performance tonight should give fans a glimmer of hope that the left wing is still a threat.

Rodríguez's 65th-minute strike was the Urugayan's third of the Leagues Cup, and his 11th of the season. Rodríguez now sits comfortably atop the NYCFC goal-scoring charts, and is the sole player in the squad to reach double-digits this season. Add to that eight assists in the MLS, and Rodriguez has asserted himself as the club's most creative, and most important player. Cushing made a point to give the Uruguayan his flowers post-game, stating that "Santi Rodriguez is always the difference for us."

Alongside Rodríguez, club legend Maxi Moralez had himself a night as well, grabbing the equalizer in the first half, as well as notching the assist for Rodríguez's go-ahead goal in the second half. Moralez's first-half strike was the Argentine's first goal since returning to the club last year, and it was an impressive one at that. NYCFC's No 10 on the night picked the pocket of his defender, before driving into the box and firing a low driven shot into the bottom left corner past a diving Nahuel Guzman.

Despite his age, Moralez continues to prove game after game how integral he is to this club, not only as a leader, but as an impact player as well. His creativity is matched only by his counterpart in Rodriguez, with Cushing remarking post-game about their chemistry on the field, and how important their linkup is for the team's on-pitch success, saying "I was quietly confident those two were going to turn up tonight."

Tigres play in front of a "home" crowd

A New York City match across the Hudson River at Red Bull Arena is never ideal for those involved.

For the players, they're fighting for the badge surrounded by the colors and brand of their direct rival. For the fans, it can be an aggravating commute to the arena, and a slow trip home. Yet, you'd expect that the majority of the crowd would support New York City at a tournament game against an out-of-country opponent based 2,077 miles away.

That was not the case Tuesday night, with New York City FC officially playing as the "away" side against a higher-seeded Tigres at what is essentially the club's third home.

Not only was Tigres listed as the home side, but the Mexican outfit was welcomed to the pitch as if it was a Liga MX match at the Estadio Universitario. With an announced crowd of 12,041 in attendance, the vast majority of fans were adorned the yellow and blue of Tigres or the green of Mexico.

These fans were loud. Very loud. The acoustics in Red Bull Arenas were a factor, with Tigres fans emphatically booing the announcement of the NYCFC Starting XI.

Pregame festivities aside, the atmosphere was intense throughout the match, with cheers and roars raining down after every shot, save, and block. The match had the feel of an intense rivalry played once a year, not a match between two sides meeting for just the third time.

That said, a section of the NYCFC supporters started a homophobic chant in the first half, prompting the arena to issue an advisory against such behavior. The Tigres fans responded in kind during the second half, prompting another warning to the crowd via public address. It was not a good look for either side's supporters.

This hatred was not only displayed between fans, with tension flaring all over the pitch from kickoff to full-time. Players clashed after hard tackles, particularly when no calls were issued as referee Keylor Herrera swallowed his whistle for most of the evening.

The Tigres players in particular took offense to numerous instances of perceived time wasting by the New York City squad, whether during set pieces or the treatment of players due to injury. This led to a few unsavory clashes, including one involving members of the NYCFC training staff looking after Tayvon Gray at the back end of the second half. The Jamaican international was brought down with a shove to the back, but was ultimately booked for time-wasting by Herrera.

The bad blood led to some clashes at the spot of the injury, as well as after the full-time whistle. It's unclear at this time if the MLS or Leagues Cup will be looking into any of the scuffles or chants that occurred before, during, and after the match, if at all.

The Leagues Cup journey lives on

Somehow, someway, New York City are still alive in the Leagues Cup. After a lackluster showing vs New England last Friday, which came down to another penalty shootout, the Boys in Blue were not favored to move on vs an in-form Tigres side who won all of their Leagues Cup matches going into tonight. Yet, when Cushing and Co needed them most, Rodriguez and Moralez stepped up to save the day, and keep the cup run alive.

Earlier in the night, the Columbus Crew defeated the reigning Leagues Cup champions Inter Miami 3-2. That sets a date between the Crew and the Boys in Blue on Saturday, August 17th. Cushing was open about his respect for the reigning MLS Cup Champions, claiming that the Crew are "the best team in MLS," setting the scene for what could be a difficult matchup for the Boys in Blue.

New York City have been patchy this season, with even Cushing admitting as much following Tuesday night's win, but that doesn't mean that his side can't put a result together when it counts.

Rodríguez acknowledged postgame that the players were well aware that the media had tipped Tigres to come away with a victory, and rightfully so. NYCFC had shown no true reason to believe that the squad was capable of going deep in this year's competition, outside of a few well-placed penalties. This result changes that narrative a bit. As we saw this night, when NYCFC get hot, the Bronx outfit are a force to be reckoned with.