It was not as pretty as Saturday’s six in the city performance against DC United, but New York City Football Club finally pulled out a win against Chicago this season and got a big three point boost in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
It was a tight first half and one that left a lot of fans wondering if they were watching yet another disappointing result against The Fire. However the second half would see results as Santiago Rodriguez fed Malte Amundsen in the box and the Danish player would be taken down drawing a penalty. Valentine Castellanos coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net and put NYCFC ahead for good.
Oct 27, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Valentin Castellanos (11) celebrates his penalty kick goal during the second half against the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
It was a better performance that the other two times NYCFC met Chicago on the road and certainly a better result. NYCFC moved up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference with the win and can assure themselves of a spot in the playoffs by keeping the momentum going this Saturday in Miami.
Ronny Deila seemed relieved after the match but not ready to celebrate just yet.
“It was a very different game than the last, very even and close,” said Deila. “Sometimes you just have to dig out a win and we did that today. In the first half, we were half a yard too late in the press and did not move the ball as well either. It was also almost zero to zero in goal chances, but I think we lifted the level in the second half. We had more intensity in the pressure and won the ball in better situations. We got the goal and kept a clean sheet. We have also been really good defensively and to win on a day like this is very very good.”
Oct 27, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC head coach Ronny Deila looks on during the second half against the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
When He was asked when fans could see his patented “Ronny Roar” again he put the teams situation in clear terms. “I do it when I feel it. I’m just eager to get to the playoffs and then you will get the roar again, that is the most important thing for me. We don’t have anything to celebrate right now with two games to go. For me I will do it (the roar) when I feel it. We are in a situation where we still haven’t achieved anything.”
The coach is right. the team has not achieved anything yet but they are in a better position than they were a week ago and they are in a position to control their own destiny by winning the last two games of the season. That last game against Philadelphia on decision day could even see NYCFC battling for as high as second place in the East. Now that would be something to roar about.
New York City FC
