NYC FC’s Khiry Shelton takes on the Fire’s Matt Watson. (photo courtesy of Chicago Fire)
Winless streak extended to six for NYC FC
by Stephanie Lovelle, New York beat reporter
After their 1-0 home loss to the Portland Timbers, Jason Kreis spoke reassuringly of NYC FC’s stretch of results.
Stating that while the results were not there, his team’s performances have continuously presented the promise that the results would reflect their effort sooner rather than later.
But as reassuring as Kreis presented himself on Sunday, NYC FC’s away match against the Chicago Fire (3-0-3) Friday night would show that for now, the song remains the same for the expansion side.
An error by NYC FC goalkeeper Ryan Meara on a back pass contributed to Chicago’s 1-0 lead. (photo courtesy of Chicago Fire)
NYC FC’s winless streak stretched to six matches after they fell 1-0 in Chicago. The only goal of the match came in the 20th minute due to a blunder by the teams number two goalkeeper, Ryan Meara. Meara enjoyed a stint with the New York Red Bulls in 2012 before suffering a season-ending hip injury that would pave the way for Luis Robles to become the Red Bulls’ number one keeper.
Joining NYC FC over the summer, the loanee received his first start in goal due to a one match suspension for Josh Saunders after a dangerous challenge on Portland’s Ishamel Yartey.
Chicago, who had a nearly three week break and tallied two wins in five matches prior to Friday night, commanded the left side for much of the first half, with a number of their runs keeping the NYC FC defense well on their toes. But luck, which also did the visiting side in during their last match, once again played a role.
What seemed to be a deflection from an initial pass to Chicago midfielder David Accam, would make no connection, slipping right down the outside left of the box. Possibly going out for a corner, Meara made a run to gather the ball before it would cross the line, but was unable to do so. The ball would fall perfectly for Accam who was in the right place at the right time. Net unguarded, Accam was able to make a confident strike into the back of the net as the NYC FC defensive arriving too late to atone for Meara’s costly mistake.
Matters would not get any better for NYC FC when midfielder Andrew Jacobson received a straight red in the 23rd minute after hacking down Accam.
To say that either Meara’s mistake or Jacobson’s card was the wrench in NYC FC’s loss is hardly the only reason.
NYC FC went into the match fairly depleted with five injuries including an ACL rupture with LCL damage that will keep forward Tony Taylor out for the season. Mix Diskerud, who’s tallied one goal so far this season, did make his return but his placement back into the lineup failed to produce much inspiration.
Midfielder Andrew Jacobson (seen here in last week’s game against the Timbers) got a red card in the 23rd minute. (photo courtesy of NYC FC)
But Chicago was ultimately unable to capitalize on their other chances, partially owing to Meara’s role in goal. His first half giveaway almost seemed to be forgivable after the 24-year-old managed to have an otherwise solid game, having to come up with key saves.
Kreis’ hands are surely tied with his side’s current injury struggles. However the troubles he’s having extend will beyond that. NYC FC, already struggling with an unsettled defense, have shown a vulnerability on the flanks as well as a major reliance on the keeper coming up with anything and everything the backline fails to control.
With upcoming matches no easy feats, Kreis has some work to do, even with the return of his top goalscorer David Villa in sight. Aside from the injury woes, if predictability and an inability to connect are the main issues, where does he begin in solving the problem? Being an expansion side is no excuse for a team that has shown early on in the season how threatening they can be. Likewise, the mentality of results being not too far away may just be doing more damage than good when performances have clearly left much to be desired as of late. Simply put, the season will not get any easier for NYC FC if they are unable to snap out of what can quickly become a losing streak.
NYC FC return to action on May 3rd in which they will face the Sounders (3-1-2) at home. No less of a possibly difficult match, the New York Red Bulls (3-2-0) loom, a fairly cohesive side that still awaits its first defeat, followed by Chicago’s visit to Yankee Stadium.
