New York City Football Club were back in action on Wednesday afternoon for their second friendly of the day, this time taking on Querétaro.
Head coach Ronny Deila named a strong side to face the Mexican outfit that included starts for both Héber and Taty Castellanos in attack.
The Boys in Blue began proceedings at an electric pace and caused their opponents problems from almost the first whistle.
It wasn’t long before one of the front pairing earned a sight at goal after neat interplay between Nicolás Acevedo and Héber allowed the former to play Castellanos in behind – the 2021 Golden Boot Winner stinging the palms of Querétaro’s goalkeeper.
The game’s opening goal would arrive not long after as NYCFC passed the ball quickly and effectively from left to right inside the opposition half.
Tayvon Gray collected the ball on the right and after driving past a defender swung a low cross into the box that Santiago Rodríguez poked home.
Meanwhile Castellanos looked full of confidence and he added his name to the scoresheet not long after - collecting a through ball from Rodríguez before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
There would be further chances for Rodríguez and Talles Magno before NYCFC added a third before half-time with Castellanos notching his second of the game.
A consequence of another well-worked team move, the ball eventually found its way to Talles Magno. The Brazilian clipped a delightful curled pass into the path of Castellanos to volley home.
The second half brought several changes to the line-up and a goal for Querétaro after Sean Johnson was dispossessed and the loose ball was converted.
NYCFC almost restored their three goal cushion instantly from the penalty spot after the referee adjudged that Rodríguez was fouled inside the box – Héber missing the resulting spot kick.
The fourth did eventually arrive, however, and saw Castellanos return the favor to Talles Magno via a cute chipped pass that the Brazilian fired into the goal.
That proved to be the final notable act of the match and secured NYCFC a 4-1 victory against Querétaro. Next up for NYCFC is a meeting with Costa Rican side Santos de Guápiles in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League tie on Tuesday Feburary 15.
NYCFC XI: Acevedo, Amundsen, Callens, Castellanos, Chanot, Gray, Héber, Johnson, Rodríguez, Talles Magno, Zelalem.
