New York City Football Club recorded a strong 2-0 win on the road at Chicago Fire on Sunday.
Here's Five Points from a big result in Bridgeview.
Engine Room
While Justin Haak and Nicolás Acevedo have both played a part this season, the two had never started a game together for NYCFC.
All that changed on Sunday against Chicago Fire. Tasked with controlling the middle of the field and helping minimize Xherdan Shaqiri’s influence on proceedings they achieved both goals. A blend of tough in the tackle and composed on the ball, both men could leave Illinois proud of their performance.
With Alfredo Morales and Keaton Parks both out through injury there is a chance for Acevedo and Haak to forge a partnership long-term, and if Sunday was an audition for the role, they passed it with flying colours.
Gabi Golazo
If Sunday’s game needed something to spark it into life Gabriel Pereira’s opener certainly did that.
Amazingly, the winger struck his drive with his weaker foot. The moment of brilliance cracked the game open and highlighted why he is so highly thought of by the coaching staff and his teammates. For Nick Cushing, however, the goal was just one part of a complete performance.
“He seems to only score goals that are worth watching 100 times,” Cushing said. “For us his goals are huge asset for the team, but his work rate tonight, his commitment to the team, the way that he worked for the team and he covered Anton and helped Anton the guy has shown that not only does he have talent with the ball, but he has a huge work ethic and he’s a huge asset for the team.”
Quick Change
Traditionally, NYCFC are known for dominating the ball and trying to stretch teams to create gaps using possession.
Against Chicago, one of the main sources of threat from the Boys in Blue was rapid transitions. Talles Magno’s ability to drop deep, play on the turn, and glide into the final third was central to this. It helped create Thiago Andrade’s chance at the half-hour mark, and several half chances in the second period.
It was even a part of the second goal with Gabriel Pereira’s pressing opening the door for Santiago Rodríguez to steal in and slot the ball home.
Clean Sheet
Sean Johnson was back on an old stomping ground having spent eight seasons in Chicago.
No doubt keen to impress, Johnson kept his 13th clean sheet of the season, two more than any goalkeeper in MLS. The league record stands at 16, and is held by Tony Meola, who was in the broadcast booth for Chicago yesterday.
Johnson wasn’t called upon a great deal against Chicago, but his well-timed interception midway through the second half saw him take a hit in the process. A combination of exceptional timing and immense bravery, it was another reminder of why Johnson is so highly thought of.
The Buzz
There’s few better feelings than winning.
Sunday’s game required character from the players, a dogged defensive display, and courage to attack. All three qualities came to the fore to keep NYCFC in the hunt near the top of the Eastern Conference, and restore that great feeling of a win and three points. Here's to the Boys in Blue as we kick off another big week in MLS.
