NYCFC: Sorry Gents, You Won't Make The Playoffs With Matches Like That

Photo courtesy of frontrowsoccer.com

 

Article by Scott Churchson IG: @schurchson

Columnist and Host Spanglish World Networks, Spanglish Sports World

 

New York. - First off, let me start off by saying that I was looking forward to this match tonight. That was a long 10 day break but this was a team that went 3-1 in it's last 4, including a huge come from behind win on the road in DC United to go into this break. I missed rooting for this team; I'm a Yankee fan as well and need a team right now that gives me hope. This match did not give me said hope. They were going up against a streaking Montreal team (currently playing in Florida ATM) that's gone 2-0-2 in their last four matches and surrendering only one goal during that stretch, playing low scoring, methodical soccer, some would even say BORING soccer that's led them to scoring two goals in a match only once since May 1. And scoring chances tonight for the Gents In Blue were few and far between, in part due to the curious exclusion of both Thiago Andrade and Jesus Medina until the 72nd and 81st minute respectively. Andrade is riding a hot streak and Medina is at 5 goals so puzzling to say the least. By the time you put Medina in there, the team was already down a goal; you got to put the man in sooner than that.

In defense of the team, New York was short key players; being down goaltender/captain Sean Johnson & homegrown James Sands, being elected to Gold Cup duty. Additional credit where it's due: Backup Goaltender Luis Barraza got the start, his first of his career and performed well overall as the match went on. But as I've said before, how you go into half time dictates emotionally so much of what your second half will look like. And this team was was minutes away from going into the half with a 1-0 lead (thanks to Keaton Parks second goal in two games). Mason Toye's penalty kick goal to me set the tone for the rest of the match. Barraza makes that save, I think NYCFC, despite being sluggish, win this game against a team with 6 goals in it's last 9. A late chip shot goal by Romell Quinto at the 73rd minute all but sealed a disappointing loss on a hot, rainy Florida night and a thousand “What Ifs” that'll never get answered.

 

5 Notes

 

Head coach Ronny Delia owned his decision to save Thiago Andrade and Jesus Medina until the end of the match; a decision that was questioned by many. Especially with the offense being as lethargic as it was.

This is the first time this season that Montreal has a winning streak.

 

3 goals were called off due to offsides, one for NY, 2 for Montreal; including one at the 46 second mark.

 

This loss to Montreal snaps a 9 game unbeaten streak against the team. Before tonight NY was 5-0-4 against Montreal.

 

Next up is another 10 day layoff then playing Columbus on the road in their new park on July 17. The Crew currently sit in 9th place with a 4-3-4 record.