Nobody throws in the towel at NYCFC.
Especially not the young Argentinian midfielder, Fede Bravo, who, like the rest of his teammates, thinks the team can come back from the 2-0 loss against Toronto in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference and fight for the MLS Cup.
Bravo dreams that this Sunday at Yankee stadium will be like La Bombonera, Boca's legendary stadium which translates as "The Chocolate Box", the place where Fede took his first steps as a professional player.
But before one of the most important games of his short career, Bravo listens to the advice of his celebrated colleague, Andrea Pirlo.
“When we play together, he gives me a lot of advice. I try to copy his movements, in training and during games, and I appreciate to the max the opportunity to play alongside a World Cup champion” he told NYCFC.com.
Fede Bravo arrived in New York last summer on loan from Boca, where Carlos Bianchi gave him his debut.
In Buenos Aires, he tried to learn from Sebastian Battaglia and Javier Mascherano. “What Mascherano does is very similar to what I can do” Bravo explained.
NYCFC Head Coach Patrick Vieira believes his midfield pairing are a strong combination: “I think Bravo and Pirlo make a good team. Fede is very dynamic and is aggressive with the ball. And Andrea is always comfortable with the ball, making the right decision."
The collaboration between Pirlo (37 years old) and Bravo (23 years old) shows during training and off the pitch, where the Argentinian has taught the Italian how to make and drink mate. They’re like teacher and student.
The Argentinian, who has played central with NYC, is also a number 5 in contention. Pirlo, however, started his career as a playmaker, until he got to AC Milan where coach Carlo Ancelotti converted him into a number 5, with Gennaro Gattuso covering his back just like how Fede does now in NYCFC.
While we wait for, what we hope, will be our comeback this Sunday, Bravo recognizes that this first season in the MLS has helped him “grow, both personally and professionally.”
The title is still possible.
