Eirik Johansen had one game of Major League Soccer experience, but New York City FC coach Patrick Vieira saw enough in a 4-1 win over Columbus Crew SC in the regular season finale, in a friendly against Necaxa and in training to give the Norwegian the nod in the Club’s biggest game to date.
Johansen didn’t disappoint in a 2-0 loss to Toronto FC in the opening leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday at BMO Field.
“It’s a bit different than a normal away MLS game, with it being a playoff game and the crowd out there was really good in favor of them,” Johansen said. “We knew going into it that it would be a tough game and it was.”
Johansen said he found out he was given the nod at the team meeting Sunday. If there were nerves being in goal for NYCFC’s first playoff game, Johansen didn’t show it.
In the 12th minute, Johansen stretched out to rob Sebastian Giovinco on a shot from eight yards out. Four minutes before halftime, Johansen dived to his left to parry away a Giovinco free kick from 28 yards.
Johansen, who made four saves, said part of his confidence came from his previous two appearances in goal.
“Obviously the more games you play the more you get into a rhythm. Just by having the game against Columbus and the game in Mexico, although it was a friendly, its recent games,” he said. “It helps a lot for the confidence. But then again I’ve been a part of the team for two years and I feel confident I can go in and I feel part of the team regardless.”
Johansen also credited Josh Saunders, who started 59 consecutive matches for NYCFC, with getting him prepared for Sunday’s playoff game, both on game day and during the week.
“In training all week as well he’s been really good to me,” Johansen said. “Us goalkeepers as a group are good about sticking together regardless of who is playing.”
While disappointed with the two-goal loss, Johansen and NYCFC return home still confident they can have another magical moment at Yankee Stadium.
“We know it’s going to be a tough return leg back at home, but saying that we scored four against them at home before,” Johansen said. “It’s definitely not impossible.”
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