New York City Football Club earned a point at home to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium, with Mounsef Bakrar scoring for the Boys in Blue.
Here are Five Points from the game…
Stick Together
One of the strongest qualities in soccer is teamwork.
It can, at times, also be the hardest to cultivate. NYCFC are currently attempting to foster chemistry with every possible opportunity. While that journey continues, the team’s willingness to work together, fight for each other, and strive toward the same goal of three points cannot be questioned.
And while opinions may differ on many things, one constant remains; everyone connected with NYCFC wants the team in the playoffs.
Nick Cushing made it clear on Saturday that he anticipates the race for the playoffs to go down to the wire. If that is the case, it will be vital everyone sticks together as we ride the waves.
Two In Two
Mounsef Bakrar was brought to the Five Boroughs to score goals, and so far he has done just that.
His first goal in Leagues Cup has been built upon with two goals in two games. Bakrar’s dangerous runs in behind defenders have given NYCFC a major boost in the final third.
Against Vancouver, Bakrar ran off the shoulder of Ranko Veselinović, and after finding himself in on goal he produced a composed finish through the legs of goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
His speed and timing make him a constant threat in the final third, and that will be a major boost for NYCFC going forward.
Points On The Board
While NYCFC are pursuing as many victories as possible they were at least able to climb a point closer to the playoff line with Saturday’s draw.
Coupled with the midweek victory against Montréal the Boys in Blue took four points from the week.
That could be vital come decision day, with the true impact of every point yet to be fully known. The key is the team keep collecting points and keep the pressure on whichever teams inhabits those last playoff spots.
Big Stop
In a game of tight margins, NYCFC can thank their goalkeeper for leaving the game with a point.
Matt Freese turned 25 on Saturday, and he celebrated his birthday with a huge one on one save in the second half to deny Sergio Cordova. The play was initially flagged for offside, but a replay showed Cordova was in fact onside.
Had he scored, there is a strong likelihood that VAR would have overturned the offside call and awarded Vancouver the goal. While NYCFC have often found themselves frustrated by fine margins, they found themselves on the right side of the situation with Freese’s vital stop.
Recovery
The arrival of the international break gives NYCFC two weeks to step back, rest, recover, and recharge.
This has been a busy week for the staff and players with three games in seven days that stated with a road trip to Ohio. There have been positives and negatives, and the two weeks off will allow the group a chance to reflect on both.
The team will then return to the training field motivated by the goal of making the playoffs and keeping the Club’s run of a postseason berth intact.
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