New York City FC had some ground to make up. After Atlanta United beat Orlando City to move top of the Eastern Conference and the Philadelphia Union would see past D.C. United later on Saturday night, when fellow East elites, the New York Red Bulls, arrived at Yankee Stadium for the Hudson River derby, the Pigeons needed to win.
And that is precisely what they did. After falling behind early to a wonderful Alex Muyl goal, New York City FC controlled the match, created the better chances, and hauled their way back in front, Maxi Moralez scoring from the penalty spot before Heber notched an inventive winner.