RSL began the game on the weaker foot and was punished for its sluggishness and miscommunication when early goals from Keaton Parks and Alonso Martinez, within only a minute of each other – in the 13th and 14th respectively, put NYFC two goals up and cruising. The Claret-and-Cobalt, however, gradually grew into the game and managed to pull one back just minutes from halftime when Marczuk reacted brilliantly in the box to connect with a cross from newcomer Sam Junqua coming off the left.
A tepid, back-and-forth contest subsequently gave way to a more controlled RSL display in the second half, as Mastroeni’s men began to firmly assert their dominance and were rewarded for their fight and courage in the 60th minute, as a cutback from an overlapping Alex Katranis found its way towards second-half captain Ojeda, who met the ball with a thunderous first-time strike, the ball flying into the top right corner for the all-important equalizer.