FLUSHING, NY(SMI-SPORTS, APRIL 24, 2022)-The 2021 MLS defending Champions " NYCFC " scored 4-goals in the second half as " The Boys in Blue " overcame Toronto 5-4, in a shoot-out high score game on a Sunday's afternoon match at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens NYC.

This is the second consecutive high score victory for New York after The Cityzens routed the Real Salt Lake 6-0, last Sunday on Easter Day celebration at Yankee Stadium. Toronto, who came to this game unbeaten in the last four games got  off to a very fast start scoring two goals in span of 14' minutes by Jesus Jimenez and jumped in front  2-0, very early in the half.

Jimenez, who began the game with 4 goals under his belt in the 2022 MLS season, scored his fifth at 13' minute when he received a rolling pass inside the penalty area by midfielder Jonathan Osorio and scored with a right-footed to put the visitors in front 1-0, stunning New York and the crowd at the Citified.

NYCFC went to the offensive immediately and in two clear opportunities to find the equalizer; Tati Castellanos scored at 15' minute but it was cancelled due to   an offside call and in a breakaway Castellanos passed a perfect pass to Santiago Rodiguez who's shot deflected-off Toronto's goalkeeper Alex Bono over the crossbar.

Toronto kept the pressure and on its second major counter-attack through the right-side corner, midfield Kosi Thompson passed a perfect long shot to Jesus Jimenez from 30-yards, who ran with the ball inside the 18' and lofted it over NYCFC's goalkeeper Sean Johnson for the 2-0, at 27' minute and his sixth of the season.

After numerous offensive attacks, the 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner " Tati Castellanos" put NYCFC in the scoreboard at 37' minute during a counter-attack originated by Thiago Andrade through the right-side corner and cutting the deficit to 2-1, at the end of the half.

In the second half, The Cityzens came out all firing on all cylinders, scoring three goals in a span of 9' minutes: Thiago Andrade (49'), Santiago Rodriguez(54") and Keaton Parks(54) to overcome the score and put New York in front 4-2 over Toronto with 36' minute remaining in the game.

The Boys in Blue added another goal to increase its lead to 5-2, at 75' minute by Gabriel Pereira, during an counter-attack, Talles Magno passed a short pass to Pereira who ran with the ball inside the 18' and scored with a rolling left-footed to seal the victory of 5-4 for NYCFC over Toronto.

With the game winding down and New York in front 5-2, the visitors scored two goals in a span of 4-minutes through Deandre Kerr (86') and Michael Bradley(90') both with a header to cut the deficit to 5-4, but time ran out and the game ended with the Boys in Blue finishing victorious and grabbing the three points.

With the win, NYCFC improves to 3-1-3 overall in the season and snapped Toronto 3-game winning streak.