Carlos Coronel went out of his way to get under the skin of NYCFC fans after the New York Red Bulls pulled off a major upset against the reigning MLS champions Columbus Crew Sunday evening.
The Harrison outfit swept the champs in two games, winning the second after a dramatic penalty shootout in which Coronel made a bundle of saves to help his side advance in dramatic fashion.
But after the match, when asked if he’d rather square off with New York rivals NYCFC or FC Cincinnati in the next round, Coronel was quick to aim a dig at Nick Cushing’s NYCFC side.
“I don’t know, maybe Cincinnati,” he said. “Because Cincinnati has a soccer stadium, not a baseball stadium.
“Always you would like to play against New York City, but the field is not great and the stadium is not for soccer.”
NYCFC are set to play in their new soccer-specific stadium in 2027, but until then they remain a nomadic club bouncing between Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in New York City.
Nick Cushing’s side are set to take on FC Cincinnati in the third and decisive game of their playoff series this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls will await the winner.
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
