New York City FC secured a place in the playoffs with a 3-1 win against Inter Miami CF.
Here are Five Points from a big win in Florida.
Swiss Army Sands
This season was always likely to be an important one in the career of James Sands.
The 21-year-old is the Club’s first-ever Homegrown signing, but he’s had to navigate some tough injuries early in his career. That made regular playing time essential this season, but few could have predicted the kind of role he would play.
The guy from Rye has played as a center-back, a defensive midfield and a right-back for Ronny Deila this season, performing well in each role. As if only serving to highlight his versatility on Saturday he moved from defence to midfield effortlessly after starting the play that delivered NYCFC’s second goal.
Sands’ inch perfect pass arced beautifully around Blaise Matuidi to find Maxi Moralez, and was the perfect response to Miami’s equalizer. Overall, Sands’ ability to be versatile and dependable has been important during a testing campaign, and speaks to his quality as a soccer player.
Taty Spectacular
New York City FC took some time to find their way into the game against Inter Miami on Saturday.
While the desire and intensity were present, the team’s rhythm wasn’t quite as prominent, and in the absence of that fluidity Taty Castellanos provided a moment of magic to break the deadlock. If his first goal was a consequence of instinctual decision making, his second was more about composure in front of goal.
Castellanos now has 18 goals for the season, and while that alone is enough to earn him plaudits, it is his all-around game that makes him influential. Castellanos finished the game with a smart assist for Talles Magno, and now the team are in the playoffs you can be assured that having Castellanos on our side is a major plus.
Talles Magico
It was a bold decision by Ronny Deila to introduce substitutes in the wake of NYCFC scoring their second goal, but the coach had seen an opportunity to make changes.
Tayvon Gray and Talles Magno offered an injection of energy, and for Talles in particular it was arguably his best showing in an NYCFC jersey. The teenager only moved to the Club in May, and was clearly signed with the long term in mind. On Saturday, he provided NYCFC with trickery down the left and almost notched an assist, but for a vital interception from an Inter Miami defender.
He capped off his solid showing with a well taken third goal, and it was clear he caught Ronny Deila’s eye in the process.
“He looks very switched on, he looks like his legs are light,” Ronny Deila said. “He moves really, well now because his injuries are gone. There’s been a lot of load that he’s had to get used to. He’s had to learn a new style of play, new demands. Him, Thiago, and Santiago Rodriguez – they’ve all had good performances. It takes time with these guys, but he comes on today and it looks like he enjoys his football.
“Then you see the talent. The boy is 19-years-old, so he needs time, but it's so nice to see players expressing themselves in the way he did today. We know what we have got, but it’s going to take time to get it out every week.”
Captain Fantastic
Once again the path to success for NYCFC was forged by some great goalkeeping. Johnson made big stops in both halves, and that was the foundation for success, as Ronny Deila acknowledged afterwards.
“The first save is so crucial for the game,” he said. “It’s an unbelievable save. When you get those moments it keeps us in the game, and we can bounce back and that was top class - it shows what kind of goalkeeper is.
“He's been good as a leader as well. He’s been getting people together and fighting. I talked a lot about togetherness and belief, and I think this group has never let me down with fight. They always want to do something, and it’s about just getting out our potential. We need leaders like Sean.”
Clinched
New York City FC have come through a busy week with three big wins to secure themselves a spot in the postseason.
There is still a lot to play for on Sunday against the Philadelphia Union, with home field advantage up for grabs. The players and staff won’t be resting on their laurels now their spot is secured, but it’s important to at least acknowledge the achievement of a sixth consecutive season above the line.
