Just when you thought the race was over, it is not over. With New York City’s fine form of late and the return of their best goal scorer and league-leading assist man the club can still challenge LAFC for the best record in Major League Soccer.
It is a long shot, sure, but it is doable. New York city are seven points behind LA and have four games left to play. LAFC also have four games left. The math is there even if the probability is not.
The fact remains that with the new playoff structure, NYCFC cannot afford to take their foot off the gas. They have gotten results in the last two games at home without their leading scorer, Heber and without the creative talents of Maxi Moralez. Heber should be back soon, maybe this week. Maxi will have a clean bill of health and be yellow card free after serving his one game suspension. There is no question that the team form will only get better. Even if the team does not overtake LAFC for the shield, first place in the East means something.
Sep 14, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC forward Alexandru Mitrita (28) plays the ball against San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Tommy Thompson (22) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The win against San Jose this last week guaranteed a first round bye in the playoffs and winning the East would mean even more giving NYCFC home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The stakes could not be higher. and Dome Torrent has his team playing at a very good level. He admitted that his team was tired from the stretch of so many games back to back but put the focus on Dallas as the next step. “We have five days to recover, to rest well, we will try like I said after the last game, we will try to finish in the first position. We will be busy 100%, because the opponent is Philadelphia and Atlanta has quality, but we are a good team as well. Our focus is not to put pressure, forget about it, it is the next game. The next game is Dallas, we have to be focused in Dallas and after that I know how difficult it will be to play against Atlanta because we have a long trip in two days, just two days. But the focus is Dallas, the next game….It is better for our team because we have just four games to finish the regular season, and we will try to finish in the first position.”
The San Jose head coach, Matias Almeyda had high praise as well. “We played against the team, that in my understanding, plays the best soccer with a well-defined style. A young team with dynamic [players]and mobility. And they try to play the soccer that I personally like. ”
After all the recent success, fans must be wondering what would be the case if NYCFC had found their form earlier in the season, when all they could do was eek out a draw in some games, but don’t worry. It is the end of the season and the playoffs that count and NYCFC are sitting pretty and in a race for the top.
