Winless streak continues as NYCFC fights back for draw
by Stephanie Lovelle, New York City
NYC FC returned home to Yankee Stadium hosting the Chicago Fire in the second match ever between the two sides. The match ended in a 2-2 draw with a 10-man NYC FC having to fight back for the much needed point, also accepting they are now winless in nine matches.
NYC FC come off their first derby match, losing 2-1 to the NY Red Bulls this past Sunday at Red Bull Arena. Undoubtedly a bitter loss, the bigger picture was that the Bronx-based expansion side were then winless in seven matches, having loss three in a row.
That pressure to win would only ease up slightly after earning a point Friday evening but what could be accepted as an otherwise applaudable comeback, the match still left many questions to be answered.
Jason Kreis has been saying it for weeks: while the results have been lacking, the performances have been promising, that NYC FC have been improving and the wins will begin to roll in.
Playing Chicago may have been the opportune time for those promises to be fulfilled. Having played eight matches this season, two fewer than NYC FC, Chicago has recently suffered two defeats after enjoying a three match winning streak, which included a 1-0 home win over Kreis’ men.
The first half wouldn’t be NYC FC’s finest first 45 minutes with the first opportunity for Chicago coming as early as the 7th minute but Chicago midfielder Shaun Maloney’s goal would be ruled offside. It would be another instance of a failure in man marking as well as a lack of communication. As Chicago defender Joevin Jones made a run into the box, the home side’s defensive efforts was solely focused on smothering his feed to Kennedy Igboananike. Maloney, with no players on him, managed to make a promising run to the right end of the post, positioned for the ball to fall to his feet but not well enough to avoid being caught offside.
Maloney would feature in the night’s opening goal in the 14th minute providing the cross to Razvan Cocis for the header into the back of the net.
It was almost too easy.
With the defense already uncommitted to disallow Cocis enough reach to the ball, NYC FC keeper Josh Saunders was caught just off his line, finding himself unable to reach out and handle a Cocis header that took a well-timed dip for the goal. It wouldn’t get any easier in the first half for the home side with Chicago’s second coming in the 27th minute.
The sole goal scorer in the 1-0 win over NYC FC in Chicago, David Accam drew a foul inside the penalty area with RJ Allen’s tackle also leading to a straight red, making him the fourth player to be sent off this season for the team. Defender Jeff Larentowicz would take the penalty with easy, sending Saunders the wrong way and bringing the score to 2-0.
But the scoreline nor the man disadvantage would deflate NYC FC. A goal from Mehdi Ballouchy (the seemingly unlikely candidate to be leading the club with three goals so far this season), coming just before halftime, would ignite something that’s been seemingly missing from NYC FC since their home opener win: a sense of wanting.
NYC FC have not truly been playing like a side who undeniably “wants” to win but Ballouchy’s goal made way for certain fight that was refreshing to see.
Their tying goal came stoppage during the second half from first-time scorer Khiry Shelton, who is known for establishing himself early in the season as a fan favorite thanks to his ability to instantly make an impact on the game after coming off the bench.
NYC FC did well to take advantage of Chicago’s mishaps and it’s quite acceptable for Kreis and his side to celebrate the push for the 2-2 draw but the draw does little to weigh in NYC FC’s favor.
While a losing streak has been snapped, midfield leadership is absent, Spanish designated player David Villa hasn’t been receiving the right passes to get him back on the scoring sheet, red cards appear to be becoming a habit, opponent’s are still enjoying options on the flanks, NYC FC’s defense is in shambles and, to sum it all up, points are still being dropped.
Yes, NYC FC, with 10-men, indeed did well to take a point from Friday’s match but the idea of performances slowly but surely leading to the results has seeped into their on-field mentality in a fairly negative way. These may no longer, if they already haven’t, be as reassuring as they were five matches ago against the Portland Timbers. The season goes on, it waits for no one and Kreis’ best bet should no longer be in wishful thinking but more well-fought, unforgiving action from his men on the pitch.
NYC FC head back out on the road Saturday, May 23 when they take on Real Salt Lake who are currently 3-2-5 this season.
