New York City FC forward Santiago Rodriguez (10) guards FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta (10) during the second half of the game between FC Cincinnati and New York City FC at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Saturday, November 9, 2024. With both teams coming off high scores, the Colorado Rapids visit first-place New York City FC on Saturday.
NYCFC (2-0-1, 7 points) sits atop the Eastern Conference table, outscoring its opponents 8-2 and beating Orlando City 5-0 at home on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Rapids (2-1-0, 6 points) moved into fifth place in the Western Conference table and recorded a 4-1 home win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
NYCFC has seven points from its first three games for the first time since 2018. The win over the Lions also marked New York City FC’s first five goals under coach Pascal Janssen.
Keaton Parks assisted on a goal, while Agustin Ojeda, Nicolas Fernandez and Maxi Moralez added goals.
Pascal said that since he is healthy, Parks is more of an offensive threat and has been “pressed a little higher up the pitch in the last couple of games.”
In July 2025, Parks underwent surgery on his right leg to correct blood flow issues. He underwent similar procedures in 2021 and 2022.
“Getting Keaton healthy again was the top priority,” Jansen said. “We all know he’s a great player and a big guy for our team.”
After Alexis Manyonma scored the game-winner in the 76th minute off an assist from Darren Yapi, the floodgates opened for Colorado and Miguel Navarro scored a brace in the final 14 minutes. Yapi opened the scoring with a goal.
Connor Ronan came on as a second-half substitute and played 10 minutes before being forced off the game with a leg injury. Reggie Cannon also left the game with an injury in the 65th minute. Colorado coach Matt Wells said both players are scheduled to undergo MRIs this week.
Colorado goalie Zack Steffen missed the win over Los Angeles with a shoulder injury. Nico Hansen filled in between the pipes with four saves.
“It was new going into the preseason and a big change from last year,” Hansen said of adjusting to the new strategy under first-year coach Wells. “But we work on it every day. Now it’s become second nature. Everyone knows where they should be.”
–Field level media
