NYCFC forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi opened the scoring in the 12th minute. NYCFC right back Anton Tinnerholm brought the ball up the right wing. He sent a cross across the face of the goal, which RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman heeled to the top of the box. But Tajouri-Shradi was there to run onto it and bury a goal into the upper left-hand corner of the net. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando, caught at the near post, didn’t attempt a dive as the shot soared out of his reach.
NYCFC doubled its lead 18 minutes later on a controversial penalty call. RSL center back Justen Glad fell to the ground while fighting for a ball just inside the penalty area.