NYCFC snapped a five-match winless run in all competitions as the Boys In Blue defeated the New England Revolution 4-2 at Yankee Stadium.
The Boys In Blue opened the scoring through Talles Magno only to see Gustavo Bou level for the Revolution. Valentin Castellanos scored the first of his two goals to put the hosts back in front.
Gabriel Pereira added a third before Bou cut the deficit to a single goal. Castellanos capped off the scoring with his second from the penalty spot.
NYCFC earned a record three penalty kicks and converted on two of them to help give interim manager Nick Cushing his first win in charge of the club.
Story of the match
In the ninth minute, Andrew Farrell upended Magno, who was making a threatening run into the box. A penalty was given and the young Brazilian calmly slotted home to put NYCFC on top.
The hosts nearly doubled the lead on 14 minutes as a corner kick produced a free header for Castellanos 12 yards out, but he couldn't keep the shot on target.
New England found an equalizer when a low cross by Sebastian Lletget found Bou in space and he beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
A second penalty was given just after the half-hour mark as Henry Kessler had fouled Castellanos after the two had come together. His penalty was turned around the post by Djordje Petrovic.
Farrell was sent off in the 41st minute when he pulled Castellanos back with the latter having been through on goal. The Argentine made no mistake and restored the Boys In Blue lead.
Two minutes after halftime, Pereira's run from deep put him through on goal, but his side-footed effort was wide of the post.
He would soon get his name on the scoresheet latching onto the ball and playing Castellanos on goal. The shot was stopped, but Pereira rounded Petrovic and slotted home the rebound.
One the hour mark, Lletget nearly halved the deficit as his curling effort clanged off the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
It was 3-1 in the 75th minute as Castellanos curled a shot that deflected past the post, his league-leading 12th tally of the season.
Bou picked up his second of the match two minutes later as he converted from close range after receiving a square ball from DeJuan Jones.
The hosts' two-goal lead would be restored five minutes later, a breakaway seeing Castellanos convert on a rebound from a shot by Thiago Andrade.
Man of the match: Valentin Castellanos
He continues to be the heart of the NYCFC attack despite having a multitude of creative, attacking players around him. He's back on top in the Golden Boot race and showing why he continues to attract interest from European teams.