Storms of Spring

Apr 12, 2023

It is only April, and like the daffodils of early spring, grumblings of "Cushing out" are popping up around the NYCFC online community. If Ronny had remained, I'm certain that in the early months of last season, you would have heard the same. Even for the skipper who had led us to our first MLS Cup victory. It's tiresome.

The main positive point I want to make this week is that we took points from both New England and Atlanta, who were each at the time top of the Eastern Conference, and we won at home against a very good Miami side.

Match play differs from training ground play and with each week, the new kids are finding both their feet and the non-verbal language of their teammates. Were there mistakes? Yes, like the entire team resetting for a second corner as the ball stayed in play, allowing Atlanta space and surprise that resulted in their only goal. Which was very similar to their goals against other sides, picking up the rebound of a keeper's save and placing the ball into the open half of the net. But outside of that the defense and midfield were pretty solid.

Positive Points

That Pereira goal was a thing of beauty
Keeton and Sands are solid anchors in the midfield
Talles Magno moved back to wing instead of a false 9. We still need a proper striker who can clear the box and force defenders to mark them so that others can take advantage, but Cushing is letting Talles play where he instinctually gravitates... out wide
Barazza continues to earn my respect
Our new corner kick play, low and fast into the box for a quick snap shot on goal. It just barely failed on both uses against Atlanta
Finally showing some life in pressing the keeper hard during distribution Santi forced at least four distro errors on Guzan and we almost capitalized on a few of those interceptions.
James Sands doesn't have a broken ankle. Horrible play. Horrible officiating. But at least it's not serious.