New York City Football Club played out a tie game with Charlotte FC on Wednesday.
The Boys in Blue found a second-half equalizer through Braian Cufré as the game finished 1-1.
Here are Five Points from the clash at Citi Field…
Control
The stats told the story on Wednesday night when NYCFC took on Charlotte FC.
The Boys in Blue were in control of proceedings and had the lion's share of the possession (58%) while also creating significantly more chances (21) than their opponents Charlotte FC (3).
Nick Cushing has been consistent in his belief that the team’s results have not been tallied with their performances, and that was certainly true on Wednesday. NYCFC recorded an expected goals of 1.9 to Charlotte’s 0.2.
The nature of the game means fine margins are often at play, and that was certainly true against Charlotte, and while it wasn’t to be on Wednesday, if the quality of performance stays the same the results will start to align.
Team Goal
NYCFC’s equalizer was a well-taken, well-made, goal that typified the team’s style of play.
The move involved short, sharp, passing that compacted the right side so that Braian Cufré could move into the space created on the left.
That moment of quality was the type of move Cushing and his players aspire to create, and it also symbolizes the standard they are aiming for.
The goal represented the potential of this group, and was just reward for a strong showing.
Point Taken
While NYCFC were keen to secure a victory on Wednesday night they did manage to avoid defeat.
That continued the team’s run of seven games unbeaten while also pulling them a point closer to the playoff line. The Boys in Blue are currently only one point below the line and it is important to keep pace as we move ever closer to the conclusion of the regular season.
Nick Cushing has spoken previously of building momentum now with a view to making it above the playoff line come the end of the season, and while winning is the goal, claiming a point could prove just as important in a few months time.
City Spirit
It will have no doubt pleased Cushing to see his side show character to earn a route back into the game.
Earlier in the season NYCFC did similar against Charlotte FC, but their pursuit of the victory ultimately saw them suffer defeat. The fact the team were able to push ahead for a winner without suffering defeat shows growth and impressive game management.
Even though the result was not what the team wanted, NYCFC will dust themselves off and go again, utilizing whatever time they have on the training pitch over the coming days to eliminate the errors and prepare for a testing road game.
Wide Areas
Although NYCFC boasts a wealth of attacking options in central areas, Wednesday night felt like an example of the team’s strength out wide.
The goal was scored by Cufré, but Stephen Turnbull had a brilliant cameo in which he caused countless issues for Charlotte with runs down the right.
NYCFC’s ability to stretch the field both horizontally and vertically with their wing-backs made it difficult for Charlotte to stay narrow, and ultimately it played a key role in getting the team a goal and a point. `
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