NYCFC: A Rebound Win...With An Exclamation Point.
16 de Mayo de 2021 a las 13:20
Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, USA Today Sports
Spanglish Sports World Columnist
New York. - I'm used to being a fan of disappointing teams. After turning 35 many years ago it's kind of become my lot in life as a NJ/NY sports fan. The Yankees have had one World Series win in the past 20 years. The Giants have one playoff appearance in the past 9 years and don't get me started on the NJ Devils; a team reduced to a league laughingstock after 2 decades of quietly thriving in the league. Then of course the topic at hand, NYCFC and that disappointing shootout loss in November. Another season, another exit.
So when NYCFC surprisingly lost to DC United last weekend; one of the projected worst teams in the league, the sports team cynic in me immediately creeped in. I understand it's only one game, but I'm a big believer in how teams for mental tones early in a season; and starting 2021 with two losses after last year's quick exit one could begin to worry.
NYCFC needed to make a strong impression; to show that last week was a fluke and right the ship. In the end it turned into a laugher; taking 6 minutes to score what ended up being the winning goal in a 5-0 shutout over visiting Cincinnati. It was the first of the season and what turned out to be the first of two for Jesus Medina. For the most part this game was one sided; shots 22-12 in favor of NYCFC; shots on target 10-5 although not without its drama; towards the end of the first half FC Cincinnati put a pair of shots on target with some sparkling diving saves by Johnson. Truth be told, this game could easily have been tied and Pigeon fans (still not a fan of that nickname) were lucky to go into halftime with the lead.
The second half, a much different story. 3 goals in a 14-minute period put the game out of reach and changed the focus from winning to padding the goal differential & preserving a shutout. Johnson once again sparkled late in the second half much to the delight of the crowds. I considered doing this article on the fan base for NYCFC vs Yankee fans at *Yankee* Stadium but that'll likely wait until after the second home game (short answer: FC fans are more fun).
New York. - I'm used to being a fan of disappointing teams. After turning 35 many years ago it's kind of become my lot in life as a NJ/NY sports fan. The Yankees have had one World Series win in the past 20 years. The Giants have one playoff appearance in the past 9 years and don't get me started on the NJ Devils; a team reduced to a league laughingstock after 2 decades of quietly thriving in the league. Then of course the topic at hand, NYCFC and that disappointing shootout loss in November. Another season, another exit.
So when NYCFC surprisingly lost to DC United last weekend; one of the projected worst teams in the league, the sports team cynic in me immediately creeped in. I understand it's only one game, but I'm a big believer in how teams for mental tones early in a season; and starting 2021 with two losses after last year's quick exit one could begin to worry.
NYCFC needed to make a strong impression; to show that last week was a fluke and right the ship. In the end it turned into a laugher; taking 6 minutes to score what ended up being the winning goal in a 5-0 shutout over visiting Cincinnati. It was the first of the season and what turned out to be the first of two for Jesus Medina. For the most part this game was one sided; shots 22-12 in favor of NYCFC; shots on target 10-5 although not without its drama; towards the end of the first half FC Cincinnati put a pair of shots on target with some sparkling diving saves by Johnson. Truth be told, this game could easily have been tied and Pigeon fans (still not a fan of that nickname) were lucky to go into halftime with the lead.
The second half, a much different story. 3 goals in a 14-minute period put the game out of reach and changed the focus from winning to padding the goal differential & preserving a shutout. Johnson once again sparkled late in the second half much to the delight of the crowds. I considered doing this article on the fan base for NYCFC vs Yankee fans at *Yankee* Stadium but that'll likely wait until after the second home game (short answer: FC fans are more fun).
In the end, this was an early must win to right the ship only two games into the new season. A win with an exclamation point. Is it too early for my for a frequently suffering sports fan like me to immediately get on the Third Rail hype train? Sadly yes. but for the moment, at least my fear is abated. But I'm willing to buy a ticket for that hype train with a convincing win
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