New York City Football Club secured three points in dramatic fashion on Saturday against Charlotte FC.
A late goal from Alonso Martínez handed City a 2-1 win.
Here are Five Points from the game…
Buzzer Beater
City pushed and pushed for the decisive third goal of the evening and just as it appeared it wouldn’t arrive there was Alonso Martínez on hand to win the game.
The Costa Rican international has been patiently waiting for his opportunity with New York City, and scored his first goal for the Club against Inter Miami CF earlier this season.
That result kickstarted City’s unbeaten run, so who better to extend their winning run to a third consecutive game than Martínez. His finish owed much to a poacher’s instincts. Martínez was only focused on making contact with the ball and that caught Charlotte’s backline off guard.
“The one thing I will say about Alonso Martínez is that he’s clinical,” Nick Cushing said afterward.
A well-taken finish, it was a deserved goal for City given their consistent and persistent attempts to win the game.
Minor Setback
An early goal for Charlotte FC wasn’t part of New York City FC’s game plan for the evening.
Kerwin Vargas’ well-timed run into the box was rewarded with the opening goal of the game, but to their credit New York rallied and sought an instant response. They would draw level through Keaton Parks in the 40thminute before a stoppage time winner from Alonso Martínez.
Charlotte proved a threat on the counter, and that could easily have forced New York City inside their shell, but they instead chose to grab the game by the scruff of the neck in search of three valuable points.
Nick Cushing hailed his team’s ‘winning mentality’ when speaking to the media after the game and it’s hard to argue with him. City showed character and guts to go after the three points and that saw them finish the evening in sixth position in the Eastern Conference.
Air Keaton
Charlotte FC proved to be a stubborn opponent during Saturday’s clash, and particularly in the first half.
Charlotte’s early goal handed them a strong position to build from and left City chasing the game. Kristijan Kahlina has previously thwarted New York City and he was again in fine form between the sticks.
Despite producing several impressive saves there was nothing he could do when Keaton Parks rose highest in the air to head home in the 40th minute. The midfielder’s goal was vital in giving City encouragement heading into the halftime break.
At the same time, the goal typified what was an impressive performance from Parks. The midfielder’s composure and passing aided City considerably during the game, and showed why he is so highly regarded by fans and pundits across the league.
Saturday wasn’t the first time Parks has used his head to give his team an advantage, and that combination of aerial prowess and well-timed runs could be vital as the season progresses.
Run Extended
It wouldn’t be fun if you won every game 2-0, right?
City may have sacrificed their clean sheet on Saturday but their winning run is alive and well thanks to Alonso Martínez’s stoppage time strike. The consistent feeling of winning is a huge boost to the team’s confidence and momentum.
They will get another opportunity to extend that run this weekend, but for right now, the fact the team has picked up points across five games in a row is huge. It has helped New York City FC climb up to sixth in the table, a position they won’t want to surrender anytime soon.
Thank You
Nick Cushing once again took time out of his press conference to thank the fans – hailing them as the 12thman on Saturday night.
The teams’ energy is enhanced by your passionate support and it is why this stretch of consecutive home games was always going to be an important moment for the team. Saturday saw the players step up when needed and that collective harmony among team and fans is what helped push the group over the line.
The best bit? We get to do it all again this weekend. Dale New York!
