The match against New England was the first time the team had a week of rest since the international break. Having games every three days is exhausting and doesn’t give you enough time to plan properly. If you add the unspoken pressure of not winning, makes it even more difficult. Despite that, the team was on the same page and determined to turn things around at home. It appeared to be a calm week, but as always information came in. Anton Tinnerholm could not recover from the hit against Atlanta United, and Thiago Martins teased a return across social media. However, the rumors of a possible exit by Castellanos returned unexpectedly. But again, when has Castellanos not been linked with a move away right? Nevertheless, the match had the ingredients to be another one for the books.
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.