New York City FC opened their 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Tuesday night, defeating Westchester SC 5-2 at The Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, New York. In front of a lively crowd of 5,145, NYCFC showcased both their attacking depth and emerging talent, comfortably advancing to the next round of the competition.
From the opening whistle, New York City FC asserted control, and it didn’t take long for them to find a breakthrough. In the 13th minute, Agustín Ojeda capped off a quick attacking move, finishing calmly after a well-worked sequence involving Seymour Reid. The early goal set the tone for what would become a dominant offensive display.
However, Westchester SC responded just nine minutes later. A well-delivered corner caused problems in the NYCFC box, and Daniel Burko was on hand to convert from close range, briefly leveling the match at 1-1.
That equalizer only seemed to spark NYCFC further. Talles Magno restored the lead in the 24th minute from the penalty spot after drawing a foul himself. The Brazilian forward would go on to be the star of the night, adding a second goal in the 37th minute after a slick assist from Ojeda. Just four minutes later, Arnau Farnós—making his first start for the first team—extended the lead to 4-1 with a composed finish, marking his first goal for the club.
By halftime, NYCFC had built a commanding three-goal advantage, reflecting their superiority in possession, passing accuracy, and overall attacking cohesion. They finished the match with 58% possession and an impressive 90% pass accuracy, consistently dictating the tempo.
The second half followed a similar script, with NYCFC continuing to push forward. Their pressure paid off again in the 70th minute when Magno completed his hat trick with a well-placed header off a Tayvon Gray cross. The goal not only sealed his standout performance but also marked his first goals in U.S. Open Cup play.
Westchester managed to pull one back shortly after through Kyle Evans in the 72nd minute, but the outcome was never in doubt. Despite a few late chances from both sides, the scoreline remained 5-2 in favor of the visitors.
Beyond the scoreline, the match highlighted NYCFC’s squad depth and the opportunities provided to younger players. Several individuals made notable contributions, including Kevin Pierre, Raúl Gustavo, and Kai Trewin, all of whom earned starts. Kamran Acito also made his first-team debut off the bench, underscoring the club’s commitment to developing talent within its ranks.
With the victory, New York City FC improves its all-time U.S. Open Cup record to 6-6-2 and takes another step toward a potential deep run, having previously reached the quarterfinals twice. The performance serves as a strong statement as they balance cup ambitions alongside their regular season campaign.
For NYCFC, this was more than just a win—it was a glimpse into the club’s growing depth, attacking firepower, and confidence as they look ahead to the next stage of the tournament.
