The Boys in Blue returned to the Bronx to face Atlanta United. The match had an unspoken pressure for NYCFC given the recent results. Nick Cushing’s tenure as interim manager has seen the team hold a record of 2 defeats and 2 draws coming into the game at home. However, the result midweek against Cincinnati was a booster. Not many teams are able to rescue a draw after being 3 goals down 45 minutes into the match. In fact, NYCFC became the first team in MLS to make such a comeback. A record that helped the team regroup and focus on turning the page against Atlanta United, or so we thought.
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.