NYCFC gives fans something to be proud about

It was pride night on Thursday in The Bronx as New York City Football Club took on Atlanta United. The home squad was looking for revenge from a loss in March down in Georgia and they did so with flare, defeating their Eastern Conference rivals 4-0.

Each side was missing key players due to the international break and injuries but New York City looked no worse the wear with several players stepping up and making a case for more playing time. Maxi Morales scored the first goal of the night off a badd give away from Brook Lennon and then Monsef Bakrar, who has had trouble finding the net in the past, put all doubts to rest with a wonderful strike in the second half.

The star of the night was Hannes Wolf who tallied two goals and an assist and added the icing on the cake. The team scored three goals in a period of four minutes in the second half as Atlanta watched their hopes of another comeback like in March slip from their fingers

Maxi Moralez took his shot in the first half and sent NYCFC ahead at the half. Photo Credit NewYorkcityFC.com

Wolf also used the spotlight to call attention the the recent school shooting in his hometown in Austria. after the first goal he displayed a shirt under his jersey to raise attention about the event. It was a somber reminder of what occurred a few days ago in his hometown.

Hannes wolf was skillful in the attack on Thursday night.

The rest of the night was all smiles, however, ad NYCFC jumped to fifth in the crowded Eastern Conference and can now enjoy a few days off before their next game in two weeks in Montreal. A team they will also be looking to exact some revenge upon.

After the match, Pascal Jansen was excited about how his players stepped up and filled in for the teammates who were missing.

“I hope you can see the progress we’re making as a team because consistency is still our most important word for this season, becoming more consistent. It looks like it’s heading in that direction, but we have to be aware of the fact that we have to work so hard in order to get these achievements done. The guys who had to step up today, I see them every day in training, and I know for a fact that it’s very hard to accept that there’s a better player on your spot. You have to be patient and give your best at everything that you have inside you every day in training in order to be competitive, and that’s what they do. That is the only way to be prepared for when it is your moment. Tomás [Romero] showed it today, coming behind Matt Freese, who is one of the best goalies in the country and that’s why he’s with the national team, and he [Tomás Romero] stepped up today. He started a little shaky, but he stepped up. Tana [Strahinja Tanasijević] had to wait for his moment, stepped up today. I’m happy that Pepe [Andres Perea] is back again and we could give minutes to Kevin O’Toole again. It shows the commitment of the whole squad and how important it is to be ready all the time.”

several players stepped up and made meaningful contributions on Thursday. Photo Credit NewYorkcityFC.com

The team does look to be progressing and finding some consistency now. The match was the highest goal differential of the season so far and marked an other clean sheet for the defense. Romeo had a few words after the match about being ready.

“It’s always hard to be in-form when you’re not playing a lot of games. But as a goalkeeper, you always have to be ready. In training, you just work as hard as you can. Rob [Vartughian], our goalkeeper coach, does an amazing job keeping everyone ready. The drills we do are all game-realistic, so I felt good. I saw a lot of things out there that we train for.“

It was Wolf who summed up the night and the team’s new consistency most concisely. “I mean, always good to score, of course, and always better if you win. It was nice feeling in Nashville too, but we adjusted, and got one point there. But at home, especially in front of our fans, it’s always nice to score two goals and get the three points. I think we played very good today and we want to keep going.”

In two weeks, fans will see if the team can keep this going against Montreal. July offers a brutal series of road games for the club. If they can carry their newfound confidence and form on the road the fans will have something to be proud about indeed.