Mar 17, 2018; New York, NY, USA; New York City SC midfielder Ismael Tajouri (29) in action against Orlando City FC during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
New York City F.C. 2-Orlando City SC 0
It happened. The thing that every New York City Football Club fan was dreading. David Villa was a late scratch and unable to play Saturday. When it was announced every fan was uneasy with what was to come, but the team proved that distress unnecessary as they kept up their winning ways and dominated Orlando City SCtwo to zero in the Bronx.
Villa, along with Anton Tinnerholm and Jo Inge Berget were all crossed off the line up right before game time due to a injury and sickness. The team looked a bit skiddish and nervous at the start of the match and could not connect in the final third. Soon the nerves wore off and the reserves answered the call. NYCFC showed just how deep of a team they are this season slotting in Saad Abdul-Salaam at right back and Ismael Tajouri in the center up front. The pair proved they could start on any given day, not missing a beat in the first team. Tajouri showed off his pace and technical skill in the final third, scoring the opening goal for the team in the sixty second minute and winning man of the match honors. Abdul-Salaam was solid in the back and dangerous moving forward. NYCFC again dominated possession and made Orlando chase the ball around the pitch.
With Villa out, Maxi Moralez and Jesus Medina shined and stepped up their game. The pair were constantly dangerous in the attack and each player gave it their all for the full ninety. The pair put on a show and combined for the team’s second goad showing a nice bit of skill and unselfish play in front of the goal. Moralez played twice his size and Medina proved he was worth in the investment with savvy runs and deft passing though out the match. He has now either assisted or scored in each match played with NYCFC. The team as a whole performed admirably. In fact, it would be hard to single out any player on New York City for not raising their effort. Patrick Vieira has instilled a system in New York and the system works with the right players.
Vieira had this to say after the game, “I think when you identify players that you want to bring to the football club you look at the quality and if they’re a good fit for the system you want to play. I think Ismael is a really good player one against one, and he’s really good in tight, small space. He’s really comfortable with the ball and he’s got pace. He’s really calm and composed and he’s a goal scorer, so this element goes really good with the way we want to play the game and I think today was good. He played a position where he wasn’t used to it, but he worked hard for the team and he managed to score a goal, so it was a really good day for him and for the team.”
It was not just the offense that proved themselves improved. NYCFC has only given up one goal all season while scoring six. Alexander Ring seemed to be everywhere on the pitch and showed that he may very well be the best defensive midfielder in the league. The back four have been different each game but showed no real signs of cracking. Vieira pointed again to the system. “When we talk about last season, part of the game that really needed to improve was the goals that we conceded. I think last year we conceded too many goals and we changed some way that we defend against. So far it’s good, but it’s still only three games and there’s so many games in front of us, but I think having Salaam play today, it just showed how much good work goes into training where everybody understands their role and responsibilities. This is good.”
NYCFC now have the best record in MLS and are off to the best start in club history. The next match is on March 24 in New England when NYCFC will be without several players due to international duty. After the performance yesterday NYCFC fans can rest easy knowing their team has the depth to see them through. Don’t worry about a thing. Every little thing is gonna be all right.
NYCFC
Orlando City
