It was the best of halves. It was the worst of halves. In truth there was nothing Dickensian about New York City Football Club’s win over Inter Miami on Saturday night, but the two halves could not have been more different. The first half was filled with goals and energy and the second was a weary defensive slog in staggering heat and humidity.
Alexandru Mitria got the NYCFC party started early when he connected off a beautiful pass from Alexander Ring in the third minute and lofted the ball over Luis Robles in goal. It was similar to the start NYCFC enjoyed the week before against Cincinnati, but Miami would not be deterred. Lewis Morgan leveled Miami up in the 27th minute and NYCFC seemed to be losing focus and shape.
After the water break City came back in form and Anton Tinnerholm again made is case for best right back in MLS with a left footed shot from distance in the 35th minute. Lewis Morgan was not to be outdone however. On a team full of big names like Pizzaro and Higuain, it was Morgan who shone brightest on Saturday. His shot in the 38th minute was a beauty and Miami seemed determined to find another goal. Miami threw everything forward in search of the go ahead goal leaving themselves exposed to the counter. in the 43rd minute Mitrita received the ball outside of the defensive box, sprinted 70 yards, and punished Miami by scoring off a defection by a reeling Ben Sweat. As the half drew to a close it seemed there would be more goals to come from both teams.
The second half, however, proved to be anything but a goal-fest with both teams feeling the heat and humidity that was setting in. NYCFC looked tired but they repelled attack after attack by a chasing Miami. Miami was almost punished again late in the game when Gary Mackay-Steven had a one on one with Robles but chose to take the shot instead of making the extra pass to a trailing Taty Castellanos. Robles was able to make the safe and NYCFC was denied a chance to put the game to bed.
Ultimately, NYCFC prevailed in a game that seemed to have everything, even a torrential rain storm. Head coach Ronny Deila was pleased with the teams’ effort on the road.
“It was a tough game. We played a team that really, really needs points and is getting in quality players. The conditions with the heat and traveling in the same day made it hard for us, but I’m proud of the team. Not every game you can out play the opponent and have full control. Sometimes you have to dig out results. We did that today and it was amazing. This team [Miami] is a good team and they will have a lot of points in the last games I’m sure. This is massive for us to keep on winning…we scored three goals away and I can’t be more happy than I am right now.”
The team has a quick turn around and will have to dig in at home to get another result on Wednesday night against a purely defensive minded DC United. It will be the first time NYCFC play in Yankee Stadium this season and fans will see if the rest of the season holds the best of times or the worst.
