New York City FC suffered a disappointing defeat in the Hudson River Derby on Saturday.
Here are Five Points presented by Etihad Airways…
Chaos In The Bronx
One of the things that makes the Hudson River Derby fascinating as a spectacle is the contrast of tactical styles between the two sides, and we saw that play out on Saturday night.
NYCFC are keen to control possession, moving the ball from back to front, and use that as a foundation to create chances. The Red Bulls prefer to use high, aggressive, pressing to win the ball back in dangerous positions and benefit from the spaces those turnovers create.
When the two sides met earlier this week the Red Bulls decided to utilize a back four formation, before changing to a back-three at half-time. Head Coach Gerhard Struber maintained that back-three system on Saturday, and one of the reasons for that was it helped limit NYCFC’s attempts to play wide, while also allowing the Red Bulls to bypass midfield entirely.
At certain junctures, the game began mirroring a basketball match, with the ball flowing back and forth. That made it hard for NYCFC to establish the kind of rhythm they prefer, and while they did create chances, Red Bulls were still able to find avenues through the frenzy.
The hope will be that when the next meeting occurs NYCFC will be able to find a pattern more similar to the midweek meeting, in which structure allows them to make the most of their talent.
Growth
No one likes to lose, especially when it’s a derby.
The players and staff know exactly what this means to the fans and the city, and few embodied that disappointment more than Anton Tinnerholm.
“This is one of the worst derby’s we’ve played, especially at home,” the Swede said afterwards.
One of the benefits of this season has been a condensed schedule allowing for quick turnaround and a chance to wipe the slate clean.
The Red Bulls offer a unique test, making the game ugly, and with NYCFC aspiring to be an MLS Cup winning team this season, facing this kind of opponent, tasting defeat, is a chance to learn.
So while it may hurt now, things will get better.
Sean Saves
The pressure of a derby match impacts every player in a different way, and for Sean Johnson it brought out some top quality shot-stopping.
The Club captain came up big on several occasions on Saturday night, and that helped keep NYCFC in the game as they chased an equalizer. Having such a reliable custodian between the posts is a major benefit for the club, and that will serve them well for the rest of 2021.
The Family
While the entire Club wanted to win on Saturday night, there was an extra motivation to give the supporters what they deserve.
From minute one on Wednesday, until full time on Saturday, you’ve been an amazing chorus to back this team. The atmosphere created at Yankee Stadium was something special, and those are memories that will stick with everyone involved.
Héber Is Back
The past 12 months has been a difficult period for Héber. His recovery from ACL surgery has been a long process defined by dedication and hard work.
Seeing him return to the Yankee Stadium field was a touching moment, and having him available for the games that remain will be a boost as we look to cement our place in the playoff spots.
