The end of the road

In true “The Last Dance” fashion it was as if Philadelphia took it personally. Throughout the week social media fueled the revenge narrative to build up momentum ahead of the match. It all became more evident as I walked around the stadium, the Philly fans wanted a win more than anything. They made sure home advantage was definitely a factor as the match started. From fireworks to icons like Carli Lloyd were motivating enough to gain the upper hand. Luckily NYCFC had their loyal fans behind them, but it was bound to be an uphill battle nonetheless. 

The first half was clear evidence that Philadelphia had studied NYCFC’s tactics very closely. Maxi was unable to find the connections to create any attacking play and the tension to avoid a mistake didn’t allow the team to play with enough liberty. The Union kept a high press system with the intention to force a mistake. Within 15 minutes they managed to score off a corner kick, but it was ruled out due to an offside position. Unfortunately, the goal shook the team, and it turned out to be a preview of what was to come. Despite this, NYCFC did manage to have a sense of control throughout the first half and the score remained level going into halftime.

The second half became a rollercoaster of emotions. It was clear that NYCFC had to take the initiative, it was the only way Philadelphia was going to leave space to attack. The team was eventually going to have an opportunity to score, so they had to capitalize on it at all costs. Within 15 minutes of the second half, NYCFC managed to get ahead on the scoreboard. A perfect counterattack that allowed Maxi enough space to find Tinnnerholm down the wing. Philadelphia unable to position themselves defensively, gave Maxi room to find the bottom corner of the net. It was the first time that the “magician” was able to score in back-to-back games, it looked as if things would work out for the team. The game plan was simple (at least from my perspective), play with Philadelphia’s urgency and maintain the momentum for as long as possible. There was no need to rush, it was important to keep a cool head and play smart. It’s safe to say that NYCFC would have probably sealed the game if the header by Callens wasn’t saved by Blake in a follow-up play. Little did we know that it would signal the beginning of the end for the defending champions.

The game-defining moment came in the 64th minute. In an effort to hold the result, Keaton Parks came in for Gabriel Pereira, a move that in a matter of seconds proved costly for NYCFC. The hosts happened to have the ball at the moment of the substitution, so they moved the ball quickly and caught everyone out of position. The game was tied and things just went from bad to worse. Philadelphia took complete control of the match and in a matter of 12 minutes sealed the game. A solid 3-1 victory by Philadelphia displayed how one mistake demoralized the defending champions. From defensive mistakes to tactical disasters led to a very painful defeat. Would things have been different if that substitution wasn’t made? In the heat of the moment, I would have said yes. But having a few days to analyze things I keep my answer but offer a variation. I would have pushed for the substitution to be made later in the second half, but instead of Keaton, I would call on Thiago Andrade. First, I believe we could have made a man-to-man substitution. This would allow the team to have “fresh legs” in attack and using his speed could have caused the team to score the second goal. I can probably go on about what could have been done differently, but the result remains, the championship run comes to an end.

Looking ahead 

As the season came to an end it’s time to reflect on the ups and downs of the season. At the moment of writing, days have passed but the defeat is still fresh (I’m a fan above all). While it’s painful to revisit what went down on Sunday, I can say that the team had a good season. Losing your best striker and the manager midseason is something that many teams are not able to recover from. NYCFC managed to push through and made it all the way to the conference finals. I say it’s a decent way for the defending champion to bow out. I also value that unbeaten run at home earlier in the season with great performances at home. It was great to see the atmosphere that the fans brought to Queens and winning the Campeones Cup. Lifting a trophy during the season not only signaled the success the team has had over the last year, but it also turned out to be a turning point for the team. Interim or not, Cushing managed to imprint his coaching idea, something many thought wouldn’t happen. Finally,  I would like to point out that luck plays a part in every sport. With that being said, I’m sure that if injuries didn’t condition the lineups ahead of many of the matches where the team dropped points, the story would have been different. Trust me when I say that If Talles Magno was available for Philadelphia the outcome would have been different.

Looking ahead to what the offseason might bring, we’re already seeing moves happening. Tinnerholm has announced that he will be leaving at the end of the season. Alexander Callens is also expected to start negotiations for a new contract, and Maxi Moralez looks to have extended his stay an extra year, but nothing has been confirmed. It’s no secret that with what happened this season the team will have to look for reinforcements during the break. The main focus that everyone seems to agree with is the need for a striker. Whether they reinforce that line is yet to be seen, but for now, that seems to be the point of focus. 

Personally speaking, It was great to take part in NYCFC II’s inaugural run. Looking at some of their players taking part in the first team is very rewarding. Covering the Campeones Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League is also something I will cherish. Especially since the team won’t see any action in both competitions next season. While I would have liked the outcome of the match in Philadelphia to be different, I’m happy I took on the challenge and covered the match. But above all, I want to thank everyone for their support throughout this season. All the likes, retweets, and shares only help me continue to push for more challenges and new experiences.

GRACIAS Y NOS VEREMOS PRONTO!

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One step forward 

When a match has a lot on the line it’s best to take the first minutes to study your rival. NYCFC did just that throughout the first 45 minutes. Possession was the main focus, but the passing flow needed to be close to perfect so Miami couldnt pick spaces to find Higuain in the attacking third. In that aspect, the team managed to have good connections between Santiago Rodriguez, Maxi Moralez, and Anton Tinnerholm, holding the ball and making runs down the wings. Defensively, the objective was clear, prevent crosses as much as possible and always have a double marking system on Higuain ( at least that’s how I saw it). Failure to do so would allow him to find the inches of space he needs to find the back of the net. A clear example of that took place in the 22nd minute after he made a run that allowed him to score. However, it was ruled offside and allowed NYCFC another chance to regroup and continue the game plan. But the “Pigeons” did have a few chances of their own with Santiago Rodriguez and Heber. The Uruguayan had a heavy touch that prevented him to stay one on one with the goalkeeper. Heber’s chance had a bit of misfortune since his chip was cleared off the line, and the second clearance almost turned into an own goal. Despite the missed chances, keeping the game leveled at halftime was good business for NYCFC.

Things Intensified a bit more for the second half with the visitors taking the initiative. Once again Gonzalo Higuain challenged the defensive line creating space for a lethal shot from distance. But Sean Johnson was there to block the shot, adding another great performance ahead of the World Cup. Unfortunately for Miami that was the last play they created in the match. NYCFC managed to break Miami’s defense in the 62nd minute after Santiago Rodriguez received a long pass that allowed him to draw three defenders toward him. Gabriel Perreira was left with enough space to curl the ball to the top corner of the net, giving NYCFC the advantage. Maxi Moralez joined the scoreboard only a few minutes after Perreira’s goal. The collective build-up to his goal displayed how well the team has managed to come together in the last few weeks. The final two touches from Tinnerholm and Santi left Maxi Moralez with a good angle to beat the goalkeeper with a crossed shot. The play itself gave the feeling to be a knockout hit for Miami and to some extent, it turned out to be just that. The defense allowed more opportunities following NYCFC’s second goal. Heber took advantage of one of those costly mistakes and scored the third and final goal of the match. The champions couldnt ask for a better outcome, the attendance was great and the title defense continues. The Boys in Blue now head to Montreal on Sunday with hopes to reach the conference finals, but the victory was one important step forward. Last but not least, congratulations to Maxi Moralez for scoring 100 goals throughout his professional career.

A legend’s bittersweet farewell

Miami’s defeat had other implications aside from concluding a season away from home. It also meant that Gonzalo Higuain played his last competitive match as a professional. The legendary striker wasn’t able to get the farewell he wanted, but he pushed his team forward until the very end. His final press conference allowed me to see a completely different side of the player that competed in the best leagues in the world. The Young player left Argentina from River Plate and managed to have great seasons with Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, and AC Milan leaving a mark on the game. While the disappointment was deeply felt, he was happy to reflect on his career. He ruled out management sadly but highlighted the importance of mental health in the modern game. A great player with an even greater career said goodbye hoping that people remember him for his values as a person more than for his accomplishments as a player. He will now spend time with his family and support Argentina from home.

“Despues del futbol las llamadas se acaban, los amigos se van. Cada quien me recordara de forma diferente, pero espero que la mayoria me recuerde por la persona que soy. Por ser un buen tipo, con buenos valores por encima de todo”.
–  Gonzalo Higuain

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Back in business 

Interim Headcoach Nick Cushing provided updates ahead of the Hudson River Derby. As expected, many names were not going to feature due to the small window of recovery. One of the names that surprised many was Maxime Chanot, who picked up an injury in a practice session. In addition, it looked like Luis Barraza would be given a chance to continue his momentum from Wednesday after having said Johnson would be out. I guess it was all part of a plan to confuse the rival since both Johnson and Chanot featured in the starting XI prior to kick-off. I think that despite how you look at it, the team was more than ready to face the city rival, whoever started was prepared to give everything on the field.

The game could have begun any better, a bit of a deja vu from Wednesday as Callens scored the first goal of the match within a minute of play. A slight touch by Santiago Rodriguez allowed Callens to header the ball into the net without anyone marking him. A goal scored so soon definitely changed the dynamics of the match. Allowing you to have control of the match knowing that the rival needs to respond as fast as possible. I don’t think anyone was expecting NYCFC to score so fast, but then again, we saw that midweek so we underestimated Callens to some extent. Luckily for those present, the defender would give an outstanding performance, so the goal was only the beginning. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Boys in Blue. The Redbulls took advantage of a bad clearance by the defense to place a cross inside the box 10 minutes in. Having the defense out of position, Johnson couldnt have clean control of the cross and left a dangerous rebound with the goal wide open. Callens would make a heroic clearance on the line to deny Luquinhas the equalizing goal for the visitors. Two key plays by Callens that made him the MVP of the match with 80 minutes left to play.

NYCFC continued to control the match after that scoring opportunity by the visitors. The team worked patiently on the play build-up, eventually paying off in the 22nd minute. Maxi executed another great corner kick that took a deflection from Callens. Fortunately, Gabriel Perreira was able to win the ball back and placed the ball inside the box once again. Santiago Rodriguez pushed the ball into the net after a quick control between the goalkeeper and the defender. Ironically I had a quick conversation about his scoring chances midweek. He assured me that the goal was coming so to see him score was great. Maxi Moralez had a good chance to score from a free kick shortly after, but it missed the target. The 36th minute would see the Red Bulls score from a cross, cutting the lead to one goal. In a game-changing moment, the VAR would have the goal overturned and restored NYCFC’s lead once again. It was a tense moment that surely would have changed the dynamic of the match. Callens celebrated it like a goal, but leaving to halftime with a 2-goal lead gave things a better perspective.

The Red Bulls came in aggressively for the second half. They quickly managed to have Nicolas Acevedo within minutes of play. They quickly followed it up by a quick play in midfield that allowed Lewis Morgan to leave Elias Manoel completely alone against Sean Johnson. The U.S. international, however, had another brilliant intervention after rushing out of goal quickly to prevent Manoel from shooting. While there was a rebound in favor of the rivals, they couldnt capitalize and the shot was off target. After that, the match went into energy saver mode for NYCFC.  There were a few rough fouls from both teams that did end up with yellow cards but the Boys in blue cruised to victory. Maxi Moralez did have a great chance to seal the match with a goal during stoppage time, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Overall it was a perfect afternoon for NYCFC. A win with 3 vital points and a sold-out crowd, puts them in pole position for a possible home playoff match. 

The team now heads into the international break only one point away from third place. If the team continues with the positive dynamic, the story in the playoffs could be different. After the match, Callens and Santiago both praised the massive amount of support. 

“This victory is a reward for them, they stuck by us during our negative stretch of results.”

— Alexander Callens

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The Champions Return 

The fixture between NYCFC and Atlas F.C. was a fixture not many were looking forward to given the home team’s recent results. Supporters felt like a defeat wasn’t necessary on the international stage. Many others viewed it as just another cash grab fixture. But despite the negativity, the expectations were high ahead of the match. Atlas F.C. arrived as the reigning Mexican champion with a back to back wins. Los rojinegros had to wait 70 years for a championship shot, so representing Liga MX came with honor. Luckily the MLS representatives had bragging rights themselves. Current champions NYCFC come from a first-ever championship (yes I have to recap) and currently continue to defend the title in the current season. Overall, the match showed a lot of promise, fans showed up and both teams put out their best lineups for the game.

There were some surprises in the NYCFC lineup, at goal without Johnson and in attack with O’Toole gaining his first start with the team. But it’s safe to say that Luis Barraza did exceptionally in goal. Especially having players like Edison Flores and Julio Furch as your rivals for 90 minutes. But as the match started, winds of change were immediately in order for the Boys in Blue. It only took 4 minutes for the team to go in front after Callens caught a rebound caused by Nicolas Acevedo. It was the perfect start for the home team, but the main fear was having Atlas settle in the match and cause NYCFC to fall back. However, Barraza was quick enough to add reassurance to some of the concerns. A solid performance by the Goalkeeper left Atlas with little to no chance, aside from a few scary rebounds inside the box during the first half. It was surprising to see that the game plan was flowing smoothly, the visitors couldnt find a way through, constantly losing the ball in midfield. The game plan was working and NYCFC left for halftime with a one-goal advantage.

The second half saw almost a repeat with the exception of having Talles Magno on the field after Heber came off with an injury. The Brazilian once again displayed why he’s one of the top talents to watch in this NYCFC team. In a play started in midfield by Magno himself, found space for a combination with Santiago Rodriguez and Maxi Moralez for the second goal of the match. I have to say it was great to see him enjoying the moment, things haven’t been the best lately. But as the clock continued its course, those in attendance saw the return of a household name to the Bronx. Keaton Parks made yet another comeback after being sidelined for another blood clot. Santi was also subbed off towards the end of the match looking ahead to the derby against the Red Bulls on Saturday. In general lines, it was a match that lived up to the expectations. The flashlights made a quick appearance alongside the “wave” among the fans. Despite the bad timing, I can assure those in attendance had a very good time throughout the 90 minutes.

As the whistle signaled the end of the match NYCFC got to add a new trophy to their ongoing championship year. It was nice to see the team celebrate winning a trophy with the home fans at last. It sure wasn’t the same to celebrate a championship on the other side of the country. All things considered, I think this was a win that the team needed to have. The objective was to turn the page with a victory to face the Derby with renewed spirits. It’s safe to say that the champions returned at the best moment, but is it enough to close out the season and hope for a good playoff run? In the end, They came, they saw, and they conquered.

Let’s enjoy the moment for now and in the words of Heber himself  “La final no se juega, La final se gana”. Felicidades NYCFC.

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Leaving everything on the field

The visitors were looking to spoil the occasion and steal 3 points on the road. Inter Miami showed up to the big apple with a point to prove after the defeat against Barcelona. Yes, it was a friendly, but they played in a soccer-specific stadium and still lost. I really don’t understand why they attack the stadium set up in the Bronx. I’m guessing you have to set up an argument in case the result doesn’t go your way. Whatever the case is, they showed up with Higuain, so we had to be careful, when he scores there’s no stopping him. Luckily NYCFC had Castellanos as the main asset, sharp and ready to put the ball in the back of the net. Who wouldn’t like to score in his final game right? With the attacking duo up front, and Maxi pulling the strings in midfield, the match was set for a display in the attack.

It only took 10 minutes for NYCFC to get things running. A good combination of passes left Maxi Moralez with enough room to place a long-distance shot that came close to hitting the target. Inter Miami did have trouble playing from the back and actually contributed to NYCFC’s opening goal. Santiago Rodriguez picked up a bad pass near the box and after winning the ball found Maxi with enough room to create space for himself. The possession happened so quickly, that it misplaced the goalkeeper and gave him enough angle to put the ball in the back of the net. The goal gave us the first memorable moment of the match, a celebration between what could be seen as teacher and student. It was Maxi’s first goal of the season, but most of us stayed with the celebration between him and Taty since we know how close they were on and off the field. Castellanos was doing his very best to be involved throughout his minutes on the field. Fighting every ball, timing the passes to create danger, almost causing the goalkeeper to lose the ball. Everything would have been perfect if the goal in the 33rd minute wasn’t ruled offside. Castellanos was on point to meet the cross by Admunsen, but his position when the cross was placed made the goal illegal. He kept fighting despite the call and almost had a moment of brilliance in the 43rd minute. A great long ball by Alfredo Morales found Castellanos near Miami’s box, after controlling the ball he managed to create a one-two passing sequence with Maxi that saw his shot go over the bar. If that had gone in the stadium would have gone wild.

The second half started off a bit slow, both teams saved some energy in the starting minutes. The weather did take a toll on both teams so it was understandable. Where was Higuain you say?  Didn’t see much action honestly, and it was all frustration and blame whenever he got near the ball. I’m convinced the story would have been different if Campana was fit for the match. Johnson did however have a couple of good saves, but nothing too serious or constant to be worried about. The highlight of the night took place in the 60th minute, the man of the hour stepped off the pitch for one last time as an NYCFC player. The player who would take his place is called to be the man who takes over the scoring responsibility, something that we know Heber can do without a problem. In fact, the substitutions that came in after Taty seemed to have made a statement right away. Thiago Andrade displayed his speed and shot power right away, one of his shots was blocked by the goalkeeper in great fashion. Gabriel Pereira also dribbled past a few players and also missed the goal by a few inches. If you add Talles Magno to the mix, the future is in great hands. But the night had one more memorable moment in store for those in attendance.  A great build-up in the 74th minute between Pereira, Santi, and Amundsen connected to find Heber inside of the box. Despite having a personal mark on him he pushed the ball into the net, and in true nostalgic fashion celebrated his goal just like Castellanos. A great tribute to end an emotional night. The second goal truly described the passing of the torch with a sense of reassurance, mission accomplished as the collective goal had been reached. Three vital points in the push for playoffs and a sendoff for one of NYCFCs best players. He might not have scored, but he gave everything from beginning to end, that’s the best way to go out in front of your fans if you ask me.

On a personal level, this was probably one of the most surreal moments that I’ve had to live. From predicting his future back in 2018 as a part of my first writing piece covering the team, to seeing him become one of the most lethal strikers in the league. I remember I was afraid to write that piece thinking that my assessment was going to be a miss. It’s 2022 and not only did I get it correctly, but I saw him delivering a championship and becoming a golden boot winner. But above all, having the chance to speak to him during all of this was perhaps more fulfilling. I can say I’m incredibly lucky to have witnessed the beginning and the end, life sure is crazy.

La mejor de las suertes en este nuevo desafio Valentin Castellanos, te espera el viejo continente. 

Numeros finales ( NYCFC 2018 – 2022 )

Partidos: 118 | Goles: 54 | Asistencias : 18

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Winning at last 

The team arrived with momentum at least in the goals department. Valentin Castellanos was back in the race for the golden boot after his two goals last week. A good booster for a player that lives to score, adding Maxi Moralez and Talles Magno guaranteed goals at Yankee Stadium. In fact, things picked up quickly, the team continued the high press from last week and forced a turnover by New England near midfield. Talles Magno found himself with enough space on the wing and attempted to dribble past his marker. In an attempt to stop his progress a mistimed sliding tackle brought Magno down inside the box and won a penalty for NYCFC. The decision was undisputed, it was a foul, and a chance for Taty to continue escalating the goalscoring chart. To the surprise of everyone in attendance, it wasn’t Taty or Maxi who stepped up in front of the penalty spot. It was none other than Talles who took on the challenge to put the team up on the scoreboard. The fans cheered and encouraged the decision, a great moment that saw the boys in blue go in front within 10 minutes. Maxi followed up with an attempt from outside of the box almost immediately after another mistake by New England. Petrovic saved the shot, but it was enough to push the visitors to find an equalizer. 

New England was able to capitalize on an opportunity in the 17th minute. The NYCFC defensive line was vulnerable on the right side once again. Sebastian Lletget was able to cross the ball and find Gustavo Bou inside the box. NYCFC got a chance to push one back in the 33rd minute after a second penalty was awarded for a foul on Maxi. The call was questionable, but the decision stood and Taty stepped up to put the team ahead one more time. Unfortunately, momentum was on their side and Petrovic was able to guess Taty’s shot correctly to keep things level. Brandon Bye came close to turning the tie in favor of New England after a cross found him inside the box, but Johnson made a great save to keep NYCFC in the fight. It was a very hard-fought first half with back and forth plays from both teams. But the final hit before halftime came from NYCFC by winning yet another penalty for a foul on Taty. However, this time it also got a red card for defender Andrew Farrel, being the last man it wasn’t going to have any other outcome. Nevertheless, the team was able to go into halftime with an advantage after Castellanos redeemed himself by scoring the second penalty. NYCFC also broke a record after having three penalties awarded in the first half alone.

Maxi couldnt recover from the collision with Taty, so he was replaced by Gabriel Perreira for the second half. It’s safe to say that he was close to making an instant impact, he was able to able to find a trough pass by Taty, but his shot missed the goal by a few inches. Luckily it would only take him five minutes to put his name on the scoresheet. He was able to take advantage of a miscommunication moment from New England in midfield. The play managed to get Taty in a one-on-one situation with Petrovic, his shot was saved, but Perreira appeared to pick up the rebound from behind. In true Arjen Robben fashion, he went around the goalkeeper with a defender close to him and pushed the ball to the back of the net. Very similar to Robben’s fifth goal against Spain in 2014, NYCFC took a two-goal advantage once again. However, the visitors continued to push forward. Lletglet saw his shot hit the bar in the 59th minute, so it was a signal that the game wasn’t over just yet. In the minutes that followed Santiago Rodriguez continued his search to find the back of the net. The first attempt was off the mark but his ability to create space for himself is brilliant, a teaser to his follow-up. Unfortunately,  Petrovic stopped his attempt from close range and caused him to show his frustration. One way or another you can sense he is close to scoring, it’s just a matter of time and some patience. 

Everything looked to be going well, good opportunities and domination with a two-goal advantage. Nick Cushing gave Justin Haak some well-deserved minutes alongside Thiago Andrade, but everything changed as soon as the 75th mute came around. New England pulled one back once again through Gustavo Boe once again, setting up the match for yet another tense finish. At the moment, the questions regarding the team’s ability to hold an advantage resurfaced again. Was the team heading for another consecutive draw? It was tough to imagine, but given the situation, definitely possible. New England was one man down but the boys in blue were on the brink of another draw. In other words, one mistake decided the match. With both teams risking everything, it took a quick succession of passes to catch New England out of position. Thiago Andrade was left alone to finish off the match, but his shot was saved. With New England unable to get back, Taty was left alone to pick up the rebound to score the fourth and winning goal of the match.

The victory signaled Nick Cushing’s first win as an interim manager after consecutive draws. Castellanos increased his goal tally and helped him become the league’s, top scorer, with 12 goals. The team climbs to the second spot of the conference with the victory, a good result with the Hudson River Derby on the horizon. All great points, but when the MVP announces that his future could be decided within the next week, put everything in perspective. Was Talles taking a penalty a passing of the torch? Was Taty’s celebration with the fans a way to say farewell? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see, but if it does mean goodbye I hope he takes his talent to Europe.

NYCFC heads to Texas to face F.C. Dallas midweek. 

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Unable to win 

Interim Manager Nick Cushing spoke ahead of the match. “We need to do better defensively, They are a good team and they like to open up opponents, we have to be smart and play well”. While it is a collective effort, one of the areas of concern has been the defense. The team has struggled more than usual to stop opponents from scoring. A complete shift from what we were worried about not so long ago. Regardless, the Bronx has a certain touch with NYCFC, so it was time to let the magic happen. The lineup meant business, as usual, names like Callens, Castellanos, Talles Magno, and Maxi Moralez assured a win was the end goal. However, there was an unexpected surprise among those names. Defender Anton Tinnerholm returned to the starting XI after recovering from his Achilles injury. Unfortunately, the team lost Keaton Parks due to a last-minute surgery for a blood clot removal in his leg. Nevertheless, the game was set and the objective was clear, defeat was not an option.

The team looked refreshed despite having played back-to-back fixtures. As always imposing dominance from the start, but far more aggressively. The high press had such an impact that by the second minute Maxi Moralez was close to scoring a goal from midfield. It was a good way to answer Josef Martines attempt at goal shortly before. The key was to hold the rhythm until the team found the goal, something that looked manageable given the circumstances. Atlanta had trouble connecting passes and Martinez was nowhere to be found, so far so good right? The team was untreatable the first 30 minutes, getting the ball back almost immediately with countless counter-attacking chances. The downside, however, was the constant need to play the ball wide to cross the ball into the box. Understandable approach if you already tried to shoot the ball from distance and it didn’t work. But if that’s your choice from the start and you keep trying to score the same way repeatedly, the method becomes predictable and you allow the opposition to compose themselves defensively. Trust me I’m not one to point out flaws, and it’s easier said than done, but the match itself proved my criticism.

Castellanos stepped forward to put out the fire caused by the missed opportunities from those crosses. All it took was one trough ball from Talles Magno to leave Taty in a one-on-one opportunity in front of goal. The dynamic duo managed to produce a perfect play allowing Castellanos to score his 9th goal of the season in the 36th minute. Talk about perfect timing, but a great goal nonetheless. Atlanta did raise the first red flag for NYCFC’s defense shortly before halftime. Marcelino Moreno was left unmarked inside the box, but his shot missed the target. It was a close call but that was sadly a preview of what was to come in the second half. In general lines, the team definitely showed improvement from previous matches. At least in the first half, it looked to be a game of three points.

The team picked up where they left off in the first half. With only a minute they created another counter-attacking chance that was almost capitalized. Another cross into the box (this time perfectly executed) saw Santiago Rodriguez shot hit the post. Looking back at it now, it’s one of those game-changing moments that happen in every match. Unfortunately, that missed opportunity gave Atlanta a push of fresh air, marking the beginning of a painful comeback by the visitors. They needed 10 minutes to give the first hit in the Bronx. Josef Martinez was able to break off from his mark and header the ball into the back of the net. The game was tied by the 56th minute in a poorly defended play. Martine might have been missing during the first half, but you can’t give any sort of space to strikers of his quality, even if they’re at 50% from their best version. Luckily, the team responded quickly and pulled one back straight away. The team took Atlanta out of position once again and allowed a fast breakaway led by Castellanos. In yet another play taken to the sides, Talles Magno took the rebound from Atlanta’s defense and found an unmarked Taty who just tapped the ball into the net. Number 11 scored his 10th goal of the season, and restored NYCFC’s lead. It was a good moment to impose authority, and shortly it looked to be the game-winning goal, but it was too good to be true and the defensive line once again cost us the three points.

For some reason, the team continues to struggle closing out games. Yes, It was only a one-goal advantage, but the momentum always shifts to the opposition in an inexplicable fashion. What happened to the team that managed 7 clean sheets? It’s as if they lose confidence as soon as they take the lead. Atlanta became more dangerous and managed to unsettle NYCFC in the final minutes. Araujo took a shot from  distance that forced a good save by Johnson, but you could sense the doubt as the game came to the closing minutes. In a weird twist, Atlanta managed to push NYCFC in their own half by the 85th minute, when it should be the other way around. In a matter of seconds, the visitors gave NYCFC  a taste of their own medicine. A near-exact execution of the crosses that NYCFC tried throughout the match, gave Atlanta United the equalizer. How does the opponent beat you at your own game, with your own plays, and with fewer attempts? Questions that still run through my mind as I write this. 

A result that canceled out two great performances in the game. Tinnerholm’s return and outstanding performance in his return to the Bronx. Taty also saw his 50 MLS goal mark overshadow by a draw that feels more like a defeat. “It happened again, we have to work on these issues during the week to fix the problem. We’re all behind Nick and are doing everything to help him run things smoothly”, said Castellanos after the match. Again, don’t think I only look at the negatives. It’s great to see Tinnerholm give the team that fighting spirit that only he can provide. You can see the difference in terms of playing style whenever he’s on the field. Possession and high pressing have improved, and the need to always play from the back is slowly disappearing. All great changes, but if the defensive issues are not fixed, improvement in other areas will be pointless.

NYCFC returns to action against New England Revolution on Saturday.

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Losing focus 

The match itself didn’t begin as expected for the “Boys In Blue”. In comparison to the last two matches NYCFC couldnt establish dominance from the start. The Red Bulls took the initiative and made the game physical from the start. An obvious approach for the home team, but this is where things got interesting. The fouls started as soon as the 5th minute but the nature of the game implied that fouls shouldn’t be called so early to give the game continuity. I say this from a match referee perspective, calling the fouls too early can make the game slip out of your control. With this being said, it was expected for the referee to set the tone with strong warnings (yellow cards) for both teams. It would not only keep both teams in line, but it also helped the game flow with fewer fouls. Unfortunately, this concept was completely disregarded by the main official. NYCFC got a total of 3 yellow cards in 5 minutes, of those 3, two were key parts of NYCFC’s midfield (Keaton Parks and Santiago Rodriguez). Having main assets conditioned so early in the game, limited their involvement throughout the match. Especially knowing that any sort of contact was considered a yellow card when it came to NYCFC players. Despite this, NYCFC manage to find spaces in areas of the field, but for some reason, they were not able to capitalize on those chances. Although, it was enough to keep the game scoreless by halftime so changes were made. 

My plan for the second half saw Talles Magno coming in for Gabriel Perreira and Maxi Moralez for Keaton Parks or Amundsen. NYCFC gained momentum towards the end of the first half and those moves intended to keep that dominance going. With the second half underway, it was just a matter of time to see the plan unfold. Unfortunately, things never go according to the plan, the Red Bulls would capitalize from a free-kick set piece in the 52nd minute. It’s difficult to see that what was once the team’s best strength is slowly becoming a weakness. Nevertheless, it was the second straight game where NYCFC had to come from behind. It took the goal to speed up the substitutions but the game was still within reach. It was perfect timing to make a statement and bring in the substitutions. But once again things would take a turn for the worst.

The 60th minute will mark the beginning of an unnecessary nightmare for the boys in blue. Thiago Andrade finished a play with a risky tackle against a Red Bull player. Tensions were already high and the home side knew that they were one push away from obtaining a numeric advantage. Something was said to Andrade when the pushing and shoving came to an end. As of now, only those involved will be the only ones that know what happened. But Thiago took a bad approach and lost concentration, attempting to headbutt a rival, all in front of the referee. The red card completely changed the game. Not only did the team have to sacrifice a position to cover the missing player, but it also destroyed the game plan from that point on. While Maxi and Talles did come on the field as planned, losing Santago Rodriguez took away offensive and creative power for NYCFC. The Red Bulls would capitalize and take advantage of the momentum in their favor, scoring in the 70th minute with Luquinhas. The 2-0 felt like the knockout blow that NYCFC was fighting to prevent, but having to deal with questionable calls and tactical disadvantages was difficult enough. They held their ground defensively, but the Red Bull sealed the nightmare with a third goal in the 89th minute.

A defeat that had Red colors for the wrong reasons, sees the Red Bulls advance in the U.S Open Cup. The MLS champions leave the competition with more questions than answers. “We have to keep our composure, we can’t lose a player in this kind of games. It’s a quarter-final. We’ll speak about it going forward. I didn’t see what happened honestly, saw the red card only”, said interim manager Nick Cushing after the match. It’s a difficult defeat with or without the red card, no team wants to lose a derby. But this is where the real test begins, can they turn the page and learn from the mistakes? Or is this the turning point for the remainder of the season?

NYCFC travels to Philadelphia to face the Union on Sunday for the regular season.

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Talles Magno to the rescue 

Nick Cushing highlighted the fact that he wasn’t going to change things ahead of his role as manager, but Colorado had other plans. The visitors don’t have the best record away from home this season. But knowing that the hosts are under new management always gives you a boost in confidence. Luckily NYCFC was able to set the tempo of the game from the start. Talles Magno was the main man in attack throughout the first half. The Colorado defense was not able to cope with his dribbles on the wings. He was able to get passed defenders a couple of times but the crosses didn’t find the last pass to put the ball in the back of the net. NYCFC’s best chance came in the 35th minute after a good combination between Talles and  Castellanos allowed them to push toward goal. Unfortunately, Taty’s shot hit the bar and kept the game leveled. While there was a possible penalty call 10 minutes into the game, it wasn’t too clear from my point of view.

The team continued to showcase dominance in the second half. But there was something that caught my attention as the minutes passed, the team relied too much on producing crosses to the box. They had good ball possession but they insisted on playing the ball to the wings. Once or twice it’s okay, but when you do it constantly you become predictable. There were moments when they had angles to shoot from outside the box, but they never took the opportunity. Again, I can understand that plays from the wings can destabilize the opponent’s defense, but switch it up a bit you know? In fact, I believe Colorado’s goal was related to this need of playing the ball out wide. A bad touch in the midfield caught NYCFC’s defensive line out of position and allowed Michael Barrios to beat Sean Johnson with a low shot to the corner. It was a tough moment to process, the goal ended Johnson’s clean sheet record and it changed the momentum of the match. I could break down the play but let’s just say that the chances you fail to capitalize on come back to haunt you. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded under the new manager. Do they let the pressure get the best of them? Do they shake themselves up and answer back in no time? Talles Magno took matters into his own hands and scored the equalizer only four minutes later. A cross by Maxi (yes, another cross) found Talles unmarked inside the box. All it took was a chest control, and a scissor kick mid-air leveled the game by the 72 minute. Unfortunately, the score remained for the remainder of the match, but it was a fair result given the circumstances.

In the end, the team continues to be strong in the Bronx and picks up a point in the process. Nick Cushing praised the atmosphere and the value of winning in a place such as Yankee Stadium. “I wasn’t going to change much in terms of methodology because there’s not much to change. I’m happy with how the players prepared throughout the week.” The MVP of the match also emphasized the frustration that the squad felt because of the final result. However, he closed out with a heartwarming revelation. “ I love my grandma, she’s very special to me. She was watching the game with my family in the stands, and I had told her before the game that I was going to score a goal for her. So the goal was for her”.

Oh, yea and before I forget, my perspective on the stadium is as follows. Everything is political, once the stadium proves to be lucrative for all the parties involved, it will be approved immediately. Hopefully hosting the world cup pushes the announcement a bit quicker.

NYCFC will face the Red Bulls on Wednesday for the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Cup at Red Bull Arena.

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NYCFC remained in Queens after their regular season match over the weekend. The U.S Open Cup brought them back to Belson Stadium to face New England Wednesday night. On paper, it looked to be a rematch of last season’s playoffs, so many expected first-team players to make an appearance. However, both managers had other plans and sent out alternate lineups. The weather made a complete U-turn and brought the cold weather back to make things interesting. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that we were in for a challenging game from start to finish. 

Breaking the lock 

Being the reigning MLS champion puts special emphasis on anything you do. In terms of the U.S. Open Cup, the end goal is at least to reach the final if you don’t win it. The Boys in Blue are on a good path in that aspect, and the win over New England was a big step towards the objective. Things started well for NYCFC, established control right away. My first impressions suggested that the passing flow had been really good the first 20 minutes, so good that they pushed New England to their own half. But as the minutes passed, It was clear that they were not going to attack. The famous “Parking the bus” approach tends to be frustrating for the team that has to break the defensive wall. NYCFC however, didn’t struggle as much, but slowly became their own enemy.

Having Talles Magno, Thiago Andrade and Tayvon Gray meant speed was the main asset to use against new England. While they did create spaces on the wings, they couldn’t time the last touch correctly. They created good counterattack plays and made combinations in the midfield,  but not having the finishing touch destroyed the creativity and purpose of the play. Talles Magno probably had the best chance of the game for NYCFC, but his header just didn’t have enough power to beat the goalkeeper. All credit to Petrovic, because he had two game-changing stops. The opportunity against Talles and a double save from a corner kick in the first half. Efforts that pushed the game to extra time for a winner to be determined.

The manager made the necessary changes to finish the game in 90 minutes. Heber, Castellanos, and Santiago Rodriguez were called into action to break the tie. Having Santiago and Taty together on the field guaranteed an increase in chances. It was a partnership that added freshness to the team flow, especially in the midfield. It’s important to keep in mind that the number of matches these guys played recently would eventually take a toll on them. In addition, the field didn’t help much either, it made the ball bounce more than usual, limiting clean playing transitions. The only ones who seemed to be comfortable were Justin Haak, and goalkeeper Luis Barraza. They both have minutes with the second team at Belson Stadium so NYCFC had an advantage to some extent. However, it was Castellanos who had the winning formula in his boots. The man of the moment once again showcased why he’s so valuable to the team. His movement off the ball and ability to press the rivals always create chances for those around him. Taty was able to press a defender and forced a turnover that left New England in a bad position defensively. Luckily Heber and Santiago were quick to track back and finished the play putting NYCFC in front. But it wouldn’t be an NYCFC match without moments that left us on the edge of our seats. From a yellow card for aggressive play to a fingertip save by Barraza, left many fearing a penalty shootout. But the team remained strong until the whistle blew, earning a place in the next round. 

Rodriguez allowed the fans to see a derby a  little early this season with the result. The Red Bulls will host NYCFC in the upcoming round, where the winner is a step close to the trophy. Definitely a good way to contribute to the local rivalry. But until then, the team will continue the quest in the regular season against Atlanta United on Saturday.

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