Nicolas Fernandez's brace boosts NYCFC over Rapids

Nicolas Fernandez scored a first-half brace to lead New York City FC to a 3-1 win over the visiting Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

Talles Magno tacked on a late insurance goal for NYCF (3-0-1, 10 points) off a Maxi Moralez assist.

Darren Yapi scored a goal off a Rafael Navarro assist for Colorado (2-2-0, 6 points). The Rapids played their second straight match without starting goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

A determined effort led to Fernandez's first goal. Colorado couldn't clear NYCFC's attack and Fernandez fired off a shot that resulted in a punch save from Colorado goalie Nico Hansen. But Fernandez gathered the rebound and chipped it in for a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.

In the 45th minute, Fernandez struck again when he made the most of a deep restart as he slammed home a goal from an acute angle to give NYCFC a 2-0 lead.

Colorado stayed in the match with a Yappi goal in first-half stoppage time. Navarro's pass wide of NYCFC defenders connected with Yappi who tucked a right-footed, side-winding shot inside the bottom corner to pull the Rapids within 2-1 at halftime.

As the NYCFC attack built, Hansen turned away a Hannes Wolf shot from inside the 6-yard box. Moments later, Fernandez lefty strike off a restart was secured by Hansen. The backup Colorado goalie had five saves, while New York City FC keeper Matthew Freese notched just one.

The Rapids threatened in the 83rd minute when Dante Sealy set up Paxten Aaronson with a shot that was blocked by the NYCFC backline. But Magno sealed the win for NYCFC with his tally off a through ball from Moralez that slipped past the Colorado back line.

A physical first half featured four yellow cards, two on each side. For the match, the Rapids were whistled for 25 fouls and NYCFC 13. While Colorado held 58.1% of the possession, it was New York City FC that managed a 12-9 edge in shots. NYCFC also held an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal.

--Field Level Media