New York City Football Club continued their unbeaten streak with a tie against Colorado Rapids.
Here are Five Points from a tight affair at Yankee Stadium.
Family Time
It was a special Sunday in the Bronx.
There were plenty of reasons to celebrate at Yankee Stadium, least of all the return of NYCFC to the field.
The fact Talles Magno dedicated his goal to his grandmother underpinned the theme of family. After two weeks off that felt like two months it was great to be back in the Bronx in front of our fans playing the beautiful game and making more memories together.
The games come thick and fast from here on out, and we can’t wait to begin the journey. Time with the family is always time well spent.
Moment Of Magico
Cometh the hour, cometh the Magno.
The talented Brazilian teenager showed once again on Sunday why is so highly regarded. His dribbling and creativity were a constant threat, and when NYCFC needed a route back into the game he stepped up.
It would have been easy for Talles to snatch at his big chance, but a mix of composure and technical execution gave him a memorable moment at Yankee Stadium. That takes him to seven goal involvements in 14 MLS games this season and highlights his growing influence on the attack.
The key for Talles will be to keep building on this and help NYCFC achieve their main goal of more silverware this season.
Test of Character
To give Colorado credit the visitors proved a stubborn proposition defensively.
Robin Fraser has his side well drilled and organized. Their keenness to exploit counter attacking opportunities is well known, and they took their chance when it arrived.
It would have been easy for NYCFC to panic in the wake of that goal and fold. If anything, the goal it reinforced their self belief and encouraged them to pursue a goal.
A draw was not the desired result in the end, but it did help them stay stop the Eastern Conference.
New Beginnings
While the current coaching staff of Nick Cushing, Mehdi Balouchy, and Rob Vartughian are well-established members of the NYCFC family, Sunday represented their first step on a new journey together.
The team played well, produced the kind of soccer we have become accustom to, and overall did themselves proud. The journey from here will have many twists and turns, but the future will be bright.
The Streak Ends
NYCFC’s impressive clean sheet streak sadly came to an end on Sunday but nestled in that moment was an achievement.
The Boys in Blue went 607 minutes without conceding a goal in MLS. That is the third longest shutout streak in MLS history behind the Houston Dynamo in 2007 and the KC Wizards in 2000.
A testament to the team’s hard work and effort, the bar has been set for another goal free streak.
