New York City FC entered their Leagues Cup clash with Club Necaxa aware that anything less than a four‑goal margin would not suffice for progression, a steep hill after a 2‑1 defeat.
A Late Turnaround Seals the Loss
The visitors struck first in the 37th minute when midfielder Keaton Parks finished a swift move, putting NYCFC ahead early in the contest.
Necaxa’s fortunes shifted after the break, as they rallied to overturn the deficit. Juan Torres found the net in the 79th minute, and shortly thereafter Juan David Valencia’s initially disallowed strike was reinstated following a VAR review that confirmed he was onside.
The VAR‑confirmed equalizer swung momentum decisively, and Necaxa added a second goal to secure a 2‑1 victory, leaving the New York side with a record of two wins, one draw and no losses but a precarious path forward.
With the Leagues Cup exit now confirmed, NYCFC will turn their attention to the upcoming MLS fixture against the Philadelphia Union, a match that could shape their season’s trajectory.