By all accounts, Decision Day was a good prep for the playoffs for NYCFC. The 2-1 win over Atlanta put The Pigeons in third place in the Eastern Conference and allowed them to incorporate returning players back into the line up. Injuries to key players marred the occasion, however, and NYCFC hope they are not serious enough to cost the team any playoff games.
“We’re concerned. It’s a foot injury for Tayvon [Gray], it’s a shoulder injury for Talles [Magno], and it looks like a calf for Alfredo [Morales]. The severity of them we don’t know. I’ll tell you one thing, we haven’t ruled them out as really serious yet but it’s the initial period so like I said we’ll give the medical team space and we’ll go from there,” Nick Cushing said in the post game press conference.
Losing three players to injury is never a good thing headed into the playoffs. Morales was just returning from injury and it is unclear if he aggravated the existing injury again or suffered from a new complaint. Gray seemed to be a victim of the turf field in Atlanta. As he slid to make a defensive play his foot got caught and turned on the pitch. The right back had to have help getting off the pitch. never a good sign.
Oct 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (43) is checked after being injured against Atlanta United during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The injury to Talles Magno could prove the most costly if he needs to miss any time. The Brazilian was part of the team’s opening goal Sunday with a nice little flick on setting up Gabriel Perreira for the shot. Magno was forced out of the game just before half with an apparently dislocated shoulder. Without Magno, the team will need to turn to Heber as the number nine. Still finding his form after returning from injury this season, he stepped in and scored the game winner for NYCFC in the second half and will need to do more of that for the team to have a chance in the playoffs.
Oct 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York City FC forward Heber (9) scores a goal past Atlanta United goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo (34) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
NYCFC will host Miami on Monday for the first round of MLS Playoffs. One of the bright spots in Sunday’s match was the return of Keaton Parks to the line up. The Midfielder added some much needed presence on the middle of the pitch and provided creation on the ball and dangerous passes throughout his time in the game. He was sorely missed in the team during their bad run of form over the summer, but he looks to be fully fit now and ready for action at the right time.
Oct 9, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York City FC midfielder Keaton Parks (55) handles the ball against Atlanta United in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Cushing was reflective about his time at the helm this year after the game. I think I have to say a really good finish and that we found solutions in really difficult moments. And disappointed because if you look at the way that we finished I feel like if we would’ve had a healthy roster and maybe not had been decimated by injuries, I think we’ve shown that we could finish in those top two spots. But at the same time, we have to understand that some teams go through these moments where injuries and suspensions may give you challenges, and you have to find solutions for them. I think through that period of New England, Cincinnati, Charlotte, when those performances were good, I think we should’ve picked up maybe four or five more points. But I’m really proud, I’m really proud. The players have shown that togetherness and as a group, staff and players, we’ve shown no matter what challenges get thrown at us that we can find solutions, that we can stick together, and we can finish really strong going into the playoffs with momentum.”
Momentum can mean a lot. Momentum propelled the team to win MLS Cup last season and a late run of form in the regular season was exactly what the team needed. Indeed the scenarios are very similar. A late summer slide of form and a few games right before the playoffs to build confidence sent the team into the playoffs on a tear. This year NYCFC looked poor over the month of August after losing both the head coach and their star striker to Europe. Recent results against Atlas, Red Bull, Orlando and now Miami have the team and fans believing again. Monday the results against Miami will determine if those result are enough to make another playoff run.
