Second-Half Comeback Lifts Necaxa Over NYCFC 2-1
- Jorge "Jumpy" Martinez
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 26
August 13, 2026 Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJ
New York City FC dropped a 2–1 decision to Necaxa in a Leagues Cup match played in front of 11,281 spectators at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison.
New York City FC and Necaxa went into their third Leagues Cup match knowing it was a long shot for either side to advance to the next round. New York City FC would start the match with a rotated side which would include Tomas Romero appearing in goal in place of Matt Freese. New York would start the match with the urgency of a side looking for a victory as they controlled the initial pace of the game. They would find the breakthrough in the 37th minute when Keaton Parks would appear to head home a well-placed corner kick from Nicolás Fernández Mercau. The goal would be credited as an own goal as replays would show Nexaca defender Agustin Oliveros getting a touch on the ball. New York would go into the half up 1-0 but realizing it would most likely not be enough to advance in the competition.
The momentum would shift heavily toward Club Necaxa in the second half. In the 58th minute, Juan Valencia would level the score at 1-1 with a sharp right-footed strike from the top of the box, which would be upheld after a lengthy VAR confirmation. Necaxa would keep up the offensive pressure, forcing a pinball situation inside the box off a deflected cross. Juan Pablo Torres would capitalize on the loose ball, volleying it home in the 79th minute to claim the 2-1 lead. New York would look for an equalizer but late efforts by NYCFC homegrown player Jonathan Shore would miss the target.
With the loss NYCFC would replicate the results from their prior Leagues Cup campaign with one win and two losses. Pascal Jansen's side can now focus on the MLS league season where they currently sit 5th in the Eastern Conference standings with 26 points in 18 matches.
NYCFC assistant coach Mehdi Ballouchy commented on the match:
“You know, the team fought hard for 90 minutes today [against Liga MX’s Club Necaxa]. Maybe some [moments] may not have gone our way, but there are a lot of positives to take from this game. It’s a tough result. We’ve appreciated the support out here at Sports Illustrated Stadium for the last three [Leagues Cup] games and, you know, we’re just excited to be back at Yankee Stadium on Sunday [to play the Philadelphia Union]."
NYCFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero also shared his thoughts on the match:
“It’s always fun to play. Because [Goalkeeper] Matt [Freese] was gone with the [FIFA] World Cup [2026], I had a long preseason, so I was itching to get a game. I’m super grateful [Head Coach] Pascal [Jansen] gave me the game. At the beginning, it was kind of back and forth. I think in the first half we had better chances. In the first five minutes, they had some good chances on set pieces. Then in the second half, we didn’t create as [many opportunities], and the game went the way it did. So, it’s unfortunate to lose, but personally, it was good to get the start.”
New York City FC 1 - 2. Necaxa
Match Statistics Summary:
Possession: NYCFC 53% – 47% Necaxa
Total Shots: NYCFC 9 – 4 Necaxa
Shots on Goal: NYCFC 2 – 3 Necaxa
Shots Off Goal: NYCFC 6 – 0 Necaxa
Blocked Shots: NYCFC 1 – 1 Necaxa
Corner Kicks: NYCFC 2 – 5 Necaxa
Fouls: NYCFC 15 – 12 Necaxa
Yellow Cards: NYCFC 1 – 4 Necaxa
Red Cards: NYCFC 0 – 0 Necaxa
Saves: NYCFC 1 – 1 Necaxa
Goal Scorers Summary:
Agustín Oliveros (own goal) (NYCFC) – 37th minute
Juan Valencia (Necaxa) – 64th minute
Juan Torres (Necaxa) – 79th minute
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