New York City Football Club produced a convincing 4-1 victory in their MLS Home Opener at Yankee Stadium.
Here are Five Points from a big day in the Bronx.
Worth The Wait
New York City FC weren’t shy in creating chances during their first two MLS games of the season, but unfortunately that didn’t produce a goal.
Ronny Deila and his staff knew it would come eventually, and when it did it was incredibly satisfying. A cushioned header by Talles Magno was met with a ferocious volley from Alex Callens after just seven minutes. The strike typified the ever-evolving familiarity with this group and was a great way to kick things off in 2022 in MLS.
It was also his 7th goal, in the 7th minute, and isn’t that just lovely symmetry.
Under Pressure
One of the major strengths of NYCFC in 2021 was their ability to press opposition teams.
We saw that same trait in full effect on Saturday. Santiago Rodríguez’s divine chipped effort in the 20th minute came as a direct result of NYCFC closing off passing lanes and forcing a mistake from Montréal.
The same was true in the second half when substitute Thiago Andrade nipped in to steal the ball and drive towards goal. An effective pressing team requires good cohesion and determination and we saw that in spades at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. It wasn’t the first time a team struggled to live with NYCFC’s press and it won’t be the last time.
Talles Magico
It took just seven minutes for Talles Magno influence the game on Saturday.
The Brazilian forward provided a smart assist for Alex Callens’ opener before adding his own name to the scoresheet in the second half with an impressive header. That combination of goal and assist was a fine example of why NYCFC were so pleased to sign the player last year. A creative outlet that can find dangerous pockets of space to exploit, he is also growing into a goalscoring option with the team.
Furthermore, while his tricks and speed can often unsettle defenders, when combined with his strength on the ball it makes him a versatile and dangerous attacker. Still only 19-years-old, Talles has plenty of room to grow, and his head coach has already set him the task of being more clinical in front of goal.
On a day when snow sprinkled itself over Yankee Stadium, it was Talles that raised the temperature with a what he will hope to be is the first of many glittering performances.
Joga Bonito
Malte Amundsen compared it to like ‘being in the playground’.
Something happens when NYCFC play at Yankee Stadium and on Saturday that ‘something’ was beautiful attacking play. Ronny Deila stressed his team needed to be more clinical in the final third, but in the first half especially we saw this team click in an exciting and entertaining way that caused problems for Montréal’s defence. But for an offside flag they could have easily gone in 3-0 up at half-time and Ronny Deila admitted afterwards his side could, and should, have scored more.
Whether it’s finding space against a well-packed defence or a rapid breakaway, NYCFC have several different methods of attack and all are pleasing on the eye. The fact Saturday saw four different goal scorers also reinforced how varied this team’s line of attack can be.
“It's very important that we have many players that can score goals,” Ronny Deila said. “That’s coming from the midfield and also set plays with central defenders and up front today. Thiago scored, Talles scored, that gives confidence to everybody and makes us more dangerous so we can hurt them in many different areas.”
Jasson Delivers
Andres Jasson is finding a regular spot in the starting XI at right-back after spending the winter being prepared for his new role.
On Saturday, Jasson was tasked with defending wingback Lassi Lapalinen in the first half as Wilfried Nancy set Montréal up in a 3-5-2 formation. That system was tweaked slightly to a 3-4-3 in the second period to accommodate Djorde Mihalovic, and while the youngster may have been disappointed at not being able to stop Mihailovic for Montréal’s goal he recovered brilliantly by assisting NYCFC’s third ten minutes later.
His overall performance displayed a defensive strength and comfort on the ball that makes him an incisive attacking full-back. Ronny Deila demands his fullbacks be strong on both sides of the ball, and Jasson is consistently showing just that.
The Club is blessed to have several high quality right-backs on the roster in Tayvon Gray and Anton Tinnerholm, and when you include Jasson on that list it only bodes well to have such strong competition vying for a starting spot.
