By Alex Thierry
New York City FC kicked off its Leagues Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Santos Laguna on Thursday at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
Santos Laguna entered the game with intensity and a high press, making it difficult for NYCFC to settle into the match.
The match remained evenly contested, with national team goalkeepers Matt Freese and Carlos Acevedo both kept busy throughout a first half that ended scoreless, especially with Freese denying a free kick and a diving header, both from Diego González.
Pascal Jansen started the second half with three substitutions, including Nico Fernández Mercau, the MLS scoring co-leader, along with Hannes Wolf and Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos, who recently joined NYCFC on loan from Palmeiras.
The substitutions paid off, with Tayvon Gray opening the scoring in the 50th minute with a shot into the corner.
Renato Pavia responded by bringing on Kevin Picon and Ezequiel Bullaude for the Liga MX side. Santos Laguna continued to create chances, but couldn't find a way past Freese.
As Santos pushed forward, New York City found space on the counter and capitalized through its attacking fullbacks. Nico Cavallo doubled the lead from inside the box in the 66th minute after an assist from Andrés Perea.
Santos Laguna had one of its best opportunities in the 78th minute, but Freese produced three consecutive saves to preserve the lead. The Laguneros lost momentum as the match entered its final stages, and New York City FC saw out the victory.
REACTIONS:
- New York City FC Head Coach Pascal Jansen
- “Very happy with the clean sheet, because one goal could have sparked a comeback from Santos. We have to stay humble and get ready for the second game.”
- Santos Laguna Head Coach Renato Paiva
- “It wasn't a good game for us. We were too rushed in attack. It was a step backward from the game against América, yet Freese ended up being the standout player.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:
- New York City FC
- Goalkeeper Matt Freese was the star of the match, keeping a clean sheet with spectacular saves that gave his team great confidence.
GAME NOTES:
- Matt Freese finished the game with six saves, five on shots inside the box.
- Homegrown talent Nico Cavallo scored his first goal for NYCFC
- Both New York City fullbacks found the back of the net.
- Luighi, João Loiola Santos and Cooper Flax made their first-team debuts for the MLS side.
- A busy night for both goalkeepers, with 10 shots on target between the two teams.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT:
- Yellow Cards:
- Santos Laguna: Diego González (82’), Lucas Di Yorio (90’)
- Injury Report:
- New York City FC: Max Murray (63’)
LOOKING AHEAD
- New York City FC: Aug. 9 vs. Cruz Azul
- Santos Laguna: Aug. 9 vs. Chicago Fire
