It took six minutes for NYCFC to score Sunday in the Conference Semifinals against CF Montreal. New York went on to score two more on the road and set up a match with Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals.
New York City Pounced on CF Montreal from the start and for the first eleven minutes of the game were dominant in possession. Maxi Moralez scored the opening goal off a deft set up from Gabriel Pereira but there was bad news at the eleventh minute when Maxim Chanot had to be replaced because of injury.
NYCFC switch from a back three formation and into a more traditional back four with Keaton Parks coming on and playing a double pivot with Nicholas Acevedo. From that moment the home squad seemed to gain some control of the game and seek for an equalizer. CF Montreal was able to pull apart the City back line a bit and find space forcing Sean Johnson to make some phenomenal saves. City stuck again in the waning minutes of the first half as Montreal was throwing men forward to find the goal. NYCFC was able to counter and Santiago Rodriguez found Heber with a perfectly pass on a perfect run. Heber one touched it past the Keeper and sent NYCFC into halftime two goals up.
City Changed formation again in the second half back to three at the back and closed up the space Montreal had been exploiting. Pereira was brought down in the box in minute 61 and NYCFC started packing for Philadelphia early. Djordie Mihalovic, playing he last game in a Montreal kit, salvaged some pride for the home squad off a good header late in the game. By then it was too little and too late.
Oct 23, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; New York City midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) scores a goal against CF Montreal defender Kamal Miller (3) during the first half during the conference semifinals for the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs at Stade Saputo. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Cushing was glowing about his team’s performance after the match. “We had a lot of momentum. The last two playoff games have shown two sides to our game. Against [Inter] Miami, we were dominant. Against [CF] Montreal, we played on the counterattack. We showed that we can suffer and defend the box. I think that gives everybody a lift because as long as we play in the moment, we have a good chance against anybody.”
Indeed, NYCFC have looked the better side in both playoff matches by a longshot and they are scoring lots of goals, a trait that abandoned them in August during an agonizing slide down the Eastern Conference table. The team seems to be gelling at the right time though with the goal not just coming but the impressive way they are coming. Heber has scored in Back to back games and there seems to be a real chemistry with Moralez, Rodriguez and Pereira. The goals they are scoring are high quality and created out of very clever, solid play.
It was not all sunshine, though, on Sunday. Talles Magno, Chanot and Moralez all seemed to pick up injuries. Not good for a team headed to face Philadelphia in a week. Magno and Chanot had to be taken off during the game but Moralez was subbed out at half. Not sure if Cushing was being careful with the Argentinian or his injury was worsened during play.
Cushing kept his cards close to his vest after. “One thing I will say is I will trust our doctors and medical team. He came off the pitch against [Inter] Miami, and he played today. Of course, he only lasted 45 minutes but he has been incredible for us. I will never write him off. He’ll do everything that he can to be ready against Philadelphia [Union]. It’s a final and he is a big player, big players make sure that they are ready.”
The win on Sunday sets up a rematch of last year’s Conference Final between NYCFC and Philadelphia Union. The Union fans have complained all this season that they were hard done last year because so many of their players had to sit out the game due to COVID protocols. Well next Sunday they get to put their money where their mouths have been all year.
For NYCFC it is a chance to get revenge for the two regular season losses to Philadelphia this year. Both of those came under former coach Ronny Deila and the team has grown since then. Cushing has changed the way the team plays and the formation they are comfortable in. The Injury to Chanot could force a change in that formation. Either way it is going to be a great game between two teams that have a lot to prove.
