It’s been another exciting week in NYCFC-land following Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Minnesota United.
The first match at Allianz Field could hardly have been more dramatic, so there’s plenty to digest when it comes to City-related news stories out there.
We begin our weekly roundup of the headlines with the MLSSoccer.com take on the game, which features quotes from one of NYC’s heroes on the day: two-goal Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, who went on to secure a place in the MLS Team of the Week.
“My team deserved more than one point, but that’s football,” Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, who scored his first two goals of the season, said after the match to reporters.
The story reads: “Still, while not the win the club desired, it was a performance the players can be proud of, fighting back from deficits of 1-0 and 3-2 to earn a point in a hostile environment with an electric crowd.
“Homegrown midfielder James Sands, who has started all six of NYCFC's matches this season, agreed with his manager that it was a strong performance from the squad.
““Honestly I think this was the best game we played offensively and we had the three goals to show for it. But I think we really controlled most of it. It was just unfortunate we conceded three times.
““This was the closest we are to reaching our potential.””
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Speaking of potential, NYCFC’s Academy has two teams competing in tournament play, with the U-17s taking part in the Generation adidas Cup and the U-19s going for the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup nearby.
NYCFC’s third Homegrown signing Justin Haak took the headlines after he gave the U-19s an impressive 1-0 win over Liverpool in the opening match with a stunning solo effort.
NYCFC blog Hudson River Blue was among the first to pay tribute to the team and Justin for a great achievement.
Christian Smith wrote: “Despite only being 17 years of age, Haak has been growing quite rapidly as a footballer these past few years. After a string of promising preseason and non-competitive appearances, the young New York native signed his first professional contract as a Homegrown Player (HGP) with NYCFC this past January.
“Also, if you’re absolutely skating around youngsters being groomed for positions in one of England’s most storied clubs, odds are you got game!
“Congrats to NYCFC’s U-19 side and Justin as well. Keep up the good work!”
Seconded.
Finally, Marcus Samuelsson became NYCFC’s first Culinary Coach last week, making his long-standing affiliation with New York City’s Football Club official.
The celebrity chef is rolling out monthly NYCFC-themed dishes at his Red Rooster spot in Harlem, as well as unveiling new menu items at City Football Academy, including Striker’s Choice (Vietnamese steamed halibut, miso, lemongrass) and The Panenka (chicken breast, apricot glaze, soy).
“The recipes are there. There’s a huge balance between athletes and food, and we’ve come so far with that,” Samuelsson explained to Page Six. “If the athletes on the early side can start to eat better, control when they eat and how they eat, you can have a better career and you can maximize your career.”
He added, “This way they’re getting their proteins in very different ways. It’s delicious. It’s familiar.”
Sure sounds like the NYCFC Digital team may have to head up to Harlem one of these nights before D.C…
