New York City suffered a narrow loss to FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
The Boys in Blue fell to a single Lucho Acosta goal.
Here are Five Points from the game…
System Shock
New York City FC have always strived to be tactically versatile while maintaining their core principles. That was certainly true on Saturday as the team deployed a 3-4-3 system.
City started the game strongly and were deservedly level at the break. In the opening period of the contest, City showed an ability to both control the ball and also press Cincinnati when they tried to play out from the back.
The fact the team adjusted to the game so well and were ultimately undone by one moment of quality speaks volumes of the team’s adaptability and bodes well for the rest of the season and the many unique challenges that they will face.
Debutants
Saturday saw two new faces play their first competitive minutes for New York City FC in Strahinja Tanasijević and Malachi Jones.
Tanasijević started the match as part of a back three alongside Birk Risa and Thiago Martins. Nick Cushing was intent on adding depth and versatility to his squad this off-season and in Tanasijević the Club gained both qualities.
The defender was handed a tough task on Saturday and slowly grew into the game alongside his defensive colleagues. He will hope to further enhance his reputation in the coming weeks if given an opportunity by his coach.
His teammate Malachi Jones was substituted in during the second half to add something fresh in attack. The forward was eager and full of running and his courage on the ball will not have gone unnoticed.
Character
New York City FC were undoubtedly put into a challenging position this weekend, missing nine First Team players. The team that was assembled did not shirk the responsibility, however, and their intensity from the first whistle was admirable.
To lose a further two players to injury during the course of the game only made the challenge bigger, but City’s players didn’t let that get them down.
The team battled hard and kept the score tight against a good FC Cincinnati side, with little between the two teams across the 90 minutes. The result may not have been what staff or players wanted in Ohio, but it is another strong reminder of the character within this group and their determination to approach every challenge, big or small, with the same intensity.
“The team is in good spirits,” Julián Fernández said after the game. “We’re a young team but as we continue to grow and learn together the future is very bright for us.”
Growth
Nick Cushing spoke of how proud he was with the players after the game. By his own admission, City were well beaten on their last visit to TQL Stadium, but the same could not be said last night.
The team only narrowly lost, and while the result they deserved didn’t arrive, the fact they pushed Cincy for so long is evidence of the team’s growth and development. City are a young squad still gelling and they will take heart from Saturday before reorganizing and preparing for Inter Miami CF on Saturday.
“I’ve said all along I know the spirit and desire the group has,” Nick Cushing said. “I know the quality level is improving. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys. I think it’s a testament to where we are in our process that we came off the field today and are disappointed that we didn’t get something.”
Shot Stopper
Matt Freese deservedly took the plaudits on Saturday even though his side could not record a win.
The goalkeeper produced a number of good saves to keep the game tight and having that sense of reliability between the posts is vital in helping the team build a solid defensive foundation. Freese has started the season as City's goalkeeper and his continued strong showings are evidence as why the Club were so eager to bring him in from Philadelphia Union.
