NYCFC 3-0 San Jose Earthquakes: Player ratings as Gloster, Parks and Pereira lead hosts to victory

New York City FC triumphed 3-0 against the San Jose Earthquakes at Yankee Stadium as Keaton Parks, Gabriel Pereira, Chris Gloster's second-half goals propelled the home side to a much-needed three points. 

It was a slow start from both teams, entering halftime with a 0-0 scoreline and a combined six shots on target. San Jose held the edge in possession, but couldn’t find the finish to secure advantage.

The second 45 turned favorable for the hosts after Parks kicked off the dynamic sequence that led to the first goal. The midfielder linked up with Talles Magno on the left, before finding a pocket of space inside the box to complete the right-footed shot to the upper right corner. 

Substitute Pereira followed up with a second goal only five minutes later, working off of a ball by Santiago Rodriguez to manage the left footed strike into the bottom left corner. 

Gloster then rounded out the 3-0 score in the 88th minute. The defender scored his first ever goal for NYCFC after capitalizing on a pass by Maxi Rodriguez on the left before sending the shot to the opposite corner. Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made the dive, but there was no stopping Gloster’s effort. 

The reigning MLS champions are back to winning ways, climbing to 5th on the Eastern Conference table with 13 points in nine matches. Meanwhile, the defeat keeps the San Jose Earthquakes at the bottom of the Western Conference in 13th place with six points in nine games. 

1. New York City FC (4-2-3-1)

GK: Sean Johnson - 8/10 - Tested in the first half more than the second, but provided the necessary coverage. Another clean sheet.

RB: Tayvon Gray - 7.5/10 - Provided solidity and eager to be involved.

CB: Thiago Martins - 7.5/10 - A constant presence on the right. Two important clearances.

CB: Alex Callens - 8/10 - Strong performance, all around coverage at the back but pushed forward to create.

LB: Malte Amundsen - 7.5/10 - Solid presence in the first half, reliable defender on the left but also pushed forward create on the attack.

RW: Thiago Andrade - 7/10 - Disappointing, slightly off when inside the final third. Two shots on target in 65 minutes of play, but nothing truly impactful.

CM: Keaton Parks - 9/10 - Kicked off the play the led to the goal before finishing it off himself. Great involvement throughout before scoring.

CAM: Santiago Rodríguez - 7.5/10 - Involved throughout the pitch, but didn't play at his maximum potential until the final moments of the match. Assisted the second goal.

CM: Nicolás Acevedo - 7/10 - Another off performance. Active throughout the pitch, but nothing that influenced the game in NYCFC's favor.

LW: Talles Magno - 8.5/10 - The strongest force on the attack. Unlucky not to get the goal with his first half header, but played a crucial part in helping others. Assisted the first goal.

F: Valentin Castellanos - 7/10 - Active on the attack, but not his sharpest performance. Missed a couple opportunities, and lacked precision inside the final third.

SUB: Chris Gloster (For Amundsen, '55) - 10/10 - Came off the bench to score his first for NYCFC.

SUB: Maxi Morales (For Andrade, '65)- 9/10 - A breathe of fresh air on the attack, came in to assist the third goal.

SUB: Gabriel Pereira (For Acevedo, '65)- 10/10 - Came off the bench to score.

SUB: Gedion Zelalem (For Rodriguez, '91) - N/A

2. San Jose Earthquakes (4-5-1)

GK: JT Marcinkowski - 7/10 - Strong performance until NYCFC's first goal. He crumbled after the the 75th minute, letting two more in for the 3-0 defeat.

RB: Paul Marie - 7.5/10 - Strongest figure at the back, four important blocked shots.

CB: Tanner Beason - 7/10 - Another solid performance in the first half before falling apart in the last 20 minutes of the game. Very loose defending to let NYCFC in prime positions.

CB: Francisco Calvo - 7/10 - Good first half, managed to hold down Taty Castellanos on the left but discouraged after the first goal.

LB: Marcos López - 7/10 - Active defending throughout the pitch in the first 75 minutes, but energy slowly dwindled to inspire the last bits from NYCFC.

RW: Cristian Espinoza - 7.5/10 - Like Castellanos, he actively tried to find the back of the net but his precision failed him today.

CM: Ján Greguš - 7/10 - Strongest from the center, but struggled once inside the final third.

CM: Eric Remedi - 5.5/10 - A lost figure in the midfielder. Failed to attack and defend when needed.

CM: Jackson Yueill - 6.5/10 - Disappointing as a reinforcement on the attack. Expected more from a young prospect, managed zero shots in 92 minutes.

LW: Jamiro Monteiro - 6.5/10 - Another discouraging performance. Stronger first half before losing all hope with the first goal in the 74th minute. Completely held back afterwards.

F: Jeremy Ebobisse - 7/10 - Mediocre performance, one shot on target in 92 minutes of play as the lone striker is poor.

SUB: Ousseni Bouda (For Gregus, '85) - N/A