New York City FC claims victory with stoppage-time goal

On September 17, 2025, in the United States, New York City FC faced the Columbus Crew in a closely contested match that ended with a thrilling 3-2 victory for the home team at Yankee Stadium. The match was particularly significant for New York City FC as it marked their sixth win in the last eight matches and their first against the Crew since May 2022. The goal that sealed the match was scored by Julián Fernández in stoppage time, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Julián Fernández’s game-winning goal came as a result of excellent teamwork, initiated by Agustín Ojeda, who navigated the ball out of New York City's half before passing it to Fernández at the edge of the 18-yard box. Fernández then executed a perfectly placed bending shot into the far corner of the net. This victory was pivotal not only for the team's confidence but also enabled them to remain tied with Nashville for the fourth position in the Eastern Conference standings, each accumulating 50 points in the ongoing season. The match began with Dániel Gazdag from Columbus Crew opening the scoring with a penalty kick in the 40th minute, catching New York City's goalkeeper, Matt Freese, off guard. This lead was short-lived, as Hannes Wolf scored twice for New York City, demonstrating his scoring prowess. Wolf managed to find the equalizer in first-half stoppage time and later tied the match again in the 73rd minute with another excellent finish. With these two goals, Wolf marked his fourth multi-goal game of the season, proving to be a key player on the field. The back-and-forth nature of the match reflected both teams' urgency and desire to secure essential points. Despite having a solid lead in the first half, Columbus Crew was unable to maintain their advantage as New York City's attacking persistence and strategic play turned the tide. This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of football, where even a team leading the score can find itself on the losing end due to relentless determination from the opposition. New York City FC’s victory reinforces their competitiveness in the league and showcases their potential as they push toward the playoffs.