Richy Ledezma was all smiles.
With music pumping, and three points secured for his team, Ledezma could finally digest the achievement of his first MLS start and his first MLS assist against Nashville SC on Saturday.
As gaggles of reporters took turns circling the midfielder - keen to get his thoughts on the evening - the youngster took it all in his stride. Ledezma arrived in the Five Boroughs on loan from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven earlier this month with a simple goal; to play soccer.
“I mean, yeah, it’s good feeling, especially giving [an assist] to Maxime Chanot,” Ledezma said Saturday. “He always makes fun of me in training, but like I said to give an assist to my teammates is just an incredible feeling. I feel like I should have scored two tonight, but it’ll come.”
Ledezma has settled into his new side quickly. Handed a first start as part of a midfield three alongside Keaton Parks and James Sands, the 22-year-old’s speed and technical ability were on show from the earliest exchanges.
“I wanted to show myself early on to get the crowd behind us and help our team get a victory because we haven't won in like three games,” he said.
The midfielder’s decision to join NYCFC on loan was heavily influenced by his own scouting mission and a belief the Club’s style would mesh well with his own.
“I mean, so the playing side, I watched a couple games,” he said. “The Nashville game I watched when they played away and they just play football. It’s something I love. I love getting on the ball, I love turning, and it just fits me so naturally. That's why I made this decision to come here and enjoy my football here.”
While Ledezma’s decision to join NYCFC was rooted in an appreciation for the team’s play, Saturday allowed him also to enjoy the special atmosphere a home crowd generates. Mention of that atmosphere saw the smile return to his face.
“They were totally behind us the whole night - they wouldn't stop,” he said. “Towards the end of the game, I don't know if you saw, it was unbelievable. To see them happy and us happy I mean what else can you get? I’m glad we got three points, we did it for the fans, and for this Club.”
Ledezma would be able to sit and enjoy that atmosphere even more after being withdrawn from proceedings a little after the hour mark. The midfielder was keen to carry on but accepts he is still building fitness and momentum, and consequently, he understood and appreciated the decision from coaches to rest his legs.
“I was done and the staff made a smart decision taking me off not to risk anything,” he explained. “It was the same thing they did with Santi, so I'm glad that they took me off. No injury risk, because I'm just coming off a big injury with my ACL.”
The key now for Ledezma is to build momentum and consistency. In the locker room Saturday he was already discussing Saturday’s game against FC Dallas, but before he could draw a close to the Nashville game there was one final thing to discuss – his first Player of the Match award.
“I wasn't expecting it to be honest,” he said. “I mean, Keaton Parks scored, Maxime Chanot scored, I wasn't expecting it but I feel happy, and my teammates were congratulating me and saying I played a hell of a game - I appreciate them and if it weren’t for them making me feel like home, it wouldn't be possible.”
