NYCFC: The Tie That Felt Like A Loss

Photo courtesy of Chris Katsarov, The Canadaina Press

 

Article by Scott Churchson IG: @schurchson

Columnist and Host Spanglish World Networks, Spanglish Sports World

 

New York. - Tonight we saw a tale of two halves with the Gents In Blue. A first half that started out as well as could be asked for by jumping out to an immediate 2 goal advantage. First there was Santiago Rodriguez in his first ever start making his presence known by scoring a goal in the 12th minute. Then there was Izzy Tajouri-Shradi with his 7th of the year at the 21st minute, tying him with Medina for the team lead. By the end of the first half it went about as well as could be expected. Then the wheels promptly fell off to start the second half which is where I want to focus my attention; because it's not the points you gain, but the points you DON'T that make a greater difference.

The second half was like night and day. First Toronto interim coach Javier Perez pulled a shocker; removing both captain Michel Bradley and his star striker Jozy Altidore and replacing them with Ralph Priso and Ifunanyachi Achara which in addition ended Bradley's streak of playing every minute of the previous 17 matches. That, alongside NY's soft defense (perhaps from hubris after the first half) and the performance was night and day. Toronto opened the scoring at the 49th minute by Richie Laryea off a one timer followed by a second at the 55th minute by MVP Alejandro Pozuelo and just like that; we're tied. NY seemed to FINALLY get some life around the 27th minute of the second half after regaining their footing and having a few decent scoring chances but in the end it was another lost two points; and another missed chance to jump into second place. Next up they're at home against Pumas UNAM in the Leagues Cup Wednesday and at “home” at Red Bull Arena against Inter Miami Saturday. Let's see how they respond.

 

5 Notes:

1) This is the fourth match for Toronto back at their true home of BMO Field; pulling out a tie in all four matches. Ironically this 2-2 tie is the first match that didn't end 1-1.

 

2) Despite the tie, NYCFC is now in 3rd place in the east; tied with Nashville & Philadelphia with 28 points but ahead on GD against both and having a match in hand against the Union.

 

3) This is only the 4th match this season where the Gents In Blue have surrendered 2 goals or more. Only one of those they surrendered 3; the 3-2 loss to the Revolution on June 19.

 

4) As mentioned, NYCFC is playing host to Pumas UNAM in the Leagues Cup Wednesday. This is the 3rd of 4 quarterfinal matches for the two leagues, with Sporting KC & Seattle kicking things off on Tuesday.

5) Also as mentioned, they are back to the regular schedule again on Saturday against Inter Miami Saturday at Red Bull Arena. IM sits in dead last in the East at 3-8-4 & I'm curious how NY will handle this, as again it's against a team at the bottom of the East and away from Yankee Stadium where they are overwhelmingly stronger.