New York City FC head coach Ronny Deila, center, congratulates New York City FC captain and midfielder Alexander Ring, right, after NYC FC defeated San Carlos 1-0 in a CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 soccer match, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. A San Carlos player leaves the field at left. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) - Major League Soccer's New York City team drew a tiny crowd for its first competitive match of the season, a CONCACAF Champions League victory over Costa Rica's San Carlos that was played at Red Bull Arena.
The announced crowd for Wednesday night's game was 4,396 in the 25,000-capacity stadium. The team said that figure was tickets distributed and the actual attendance was about 2,700.
NYC's home has been Yankee Stadium in the Bronx since it launched in 2015, and the team has been trying to put together a deal for its own venue. This game was played at the home of its rival New York Red Bulls.
One game in each of the past two seasons was moved to the Mets' Citi Field in Queens because of baseball conflicts and four are scheduled to be played there this year. One game in 2016 was moved to Fordham's Coffey Field and one in 2017 to Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
NYC is majority owned by City Football Group, also the parent of England's Manchester City. CFG is controlled by of Abu Dhabi United Group and owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Yankees are a 20% partner in NYCFC.
NYC won 1-0 to advance 6-3 on total goals and will play Mexico's Tigres in the quarterfinals, at home from March 10-12 and on the road the following week.
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New York City FC defender Alexander Callens (6) crosses himself as he leaves the field after NYCFC defeated San Carlos in a CONCACAF Champions League soccer matchup Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. Callens scored the only goal the game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
San Carlos midfielder Roberto Cordoba, defender Pablo Arboine and midfieler Randy Chirino, from left, leave the field after the team was eliminated after the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League soccer match against New York City FC, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) fends off San Carlos defender Pablo Arboine during the first half in the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League soccer match Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
San Carlos midfielder Esteban Ramirez (5) keeps the ball from New York City FC forward Jesus Medina (19) as an official watches during the second half in the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League soccer match Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Harrison, N.J. NYCFC won 1-0. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press