Huntsville, Ala. (June 4, 2023) – Huntsville City Football Club fell 4-3 to New York City FC II at the Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium. Huntsville raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, but the visitors scored four straight and got the win. Huntsville finished the night with ten men following its first red card of the season.
Huntsville City FC came out firing offensively. Less than 15 minutes into the match, strong build-up led captain Isaiah Johnston to find forward Azaad Liadi, who finished off the chance for his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Just two minutes later, an Ollie Wright ball bounced off an NYCFC player to the feet of Nebiyou Perry, who finished off the chance with his first goal of the season.
Watch Liadi’s goal here.
Watch Perry’s goal here.
Just after the half hour mark, Huntsville added a third goal from the spot. Forward Shaun Joash, who came in for the injured Liadi, was taken down in the box to give Huntsville a penalty. Joash would put the chance away. The three goals in the first half marks the first time Huntsville has scored that many times in one half.
Watch Joash’s goal here.
NYCFC, who found one back in the first half, would equalize in the second half with two goals scored within one minute of each other. The visitors would grab the lead in the 71st minute, completing the turnaround. One minute later, Huntsville’s Ollie Wright was then sent off for a serious foul.
After the match, Head Coach Jack Collison spoke to the media about the team’s fast start, what changed in the second half, his thoughts on the officiating, and how the team can’t dwell on the result.
Huntsville City FC will return to action next week at the Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium against St. Louis City 2 on Sunday, June 11 at 6 p.m. CT. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
