New York City Football Club concluded the MLS Regular Season with a victory against the Chicago Fire.
Julián Fernández's brilliant second-half strike handed NYCFC a 1-0 win.
Here are Five Points from the game…
Golazo
Julián Fernández will never forget his first NYCFC goal at Citi Field.
The tricky winger showed in one moment why the Club was so excited to recruit him from Vélez Sarsfield. The 19-year-old's curling effort left Chicago’s goalkeeper with no chance of stopping it and sparked the game into life. It comes only a few weeks after his first for the Club, which was equally as memorable.
Fernández is fast developing a reputation for spectacular strikes. Before his goal on Saturday, the game had been a tight contest but his moment of magic separated the two sides and was more than worthy of winning the game.
Numbers Game
The team knew going into Saturday they would require favors from elsewhere if they were to make it to the playoffs.
In the end, those results did not come through, and it left the team just below the line. As has been the case at several points this season, the team didn't find fortune on their side when they needed it most.
Strong Finish
Nick Cushing’s message was clear in the build-up to Saturday’s game – we’re aiming to win.
Cushing knew he could only control his team’s result and that crystal clear focus was evident in the team’s performance. Everyone connected with NYCFC wanted to be a part of the postseason, and they did all they could on Decision Day to make that a possibility.
Finishing with a win and three points was a glimpse into what this team can be, with NYCFC losing just one of their final eight MLS games.
The group will continue training for several more weeks to further aid the team chemistry before returning next year ready to attack the league.
Clean Sheet
While Julián Fernández’s strike was vital in breaking the deadlock and setting the team on the path to victory, its significance was matched by a strong defensive performance at the other end. NYCFC actually finished the campaign with the joint second-best defensive record in the Eastern Conference, with only Nashville conceding fewer goals.
Starting at the back with goalkeeper Matt Freese, the defensive unit has improved week on week and Saturday’s 1-0 win against Chicago also represented the team’s fifth clean sheet in eight MLS games.
It will be important to carry that understanding and momentum with them into 2024 with the building blocks of a strong defensive unit already in place.
Thank You
Another season is in the history books and once again you delivered wonderful support to the Boys in Blue.
Finishing the campaign in New York was another reminder of the special atmosphere you create every time the team is in the Five Boroughs. Whether home or away, you bring the noise, and that is always appreciated.
