Bulletproof? New York City move on to the Semi Finals

When Pascal Jansen was hired by New York City Football Club this season, he stated that he wanted to create a team that was “bulletproof,” meaning that they could take their hits and still prevail. On Friday night, they did just that, breaking the odds and soundly defeating Charlotte FC at home by 3-1 to move on to the Conference Semifinals.

Charlotte FC came into the series with the best home record in the Eastern Conference and NYCFC came into the Queen City and won both matches played there. After a tough loss to Charlotte on penalties in New York City, this last win on Friday may be the most impressive. New York was outshot almost two to one but their game plan to strike on the counter and be clinical in the final third payed off. All three goal were scored when Charlotte was pushing forward and out of form at the back. They were quick, deadly goals by the people who NYCFC needed to step up most.

Nicolas Fernadez (Nico) showed why the club brought him over from Spain in the summer window. His two goals were a beauty to behold and represented a huge individual effort byt the player. Alonso Martinez did what he does best. He outpaced the backline with his speed and then delivered a clinical finnish to score the winning goal.

Alonso Martinez Slots it home to secure the win. Photo: Neworkcityfc.com

This series had everything and made a case that the one and done format that happens with the rest of MLS playoffs is just not as fun. For three games fans got to see the battle between homegrown, Tayvon Gray and international star, Wilfred Zaha. Those two players alone had a saga over the three matches. Kristijan Kahlina taunted NYCFC fans and players after this club’s win in NYC saying that “NYCFC’s home games are over.” That prophecy came back to haunt him on Friday as NYCFC scored multiple goals and ended his season. It was a great series between two very well matched teams that ended the hopes of nearly 40,000 Charlotte fans who turned out on Friday.

Matt Freese spoke after the match about what it means to get a big win like this on the road going into their next game against Philadelphia. “I don’t care how many people there are, 40,000 or more, I want to win no matter what. That’s why you work hard in training, with communication and tactics, so that in a tough environment where you can’t hear each other, you don’t need to hear. We all know where we’re going to be. Thiago [Martins] and I have a great connection, Justin [Haak] and I do too. With the backline — Tayvon [Gray], ‘Kev’ [Kevin O’Toole], and Raul [Gustavo] when he came in — it’s about adapting and being ready for anything in an environment like this. I love playing in front of a lot of people, so I’m pumped [to face the Philadelphia Union on their home turf]. I don’t know if I need any more motivation, I already want to win, but I don’t mind big crowds. That’s when I come alive.”

Pascal Jansen perhaps summed it up the best in a short sentence. “The goals came, and we played how we wanted to play.”

Are NYCFC bulletproof yet? That question still demands answers and they don’t get any bigger than their next match up agains the Philadelphia Union. NYCFC will be with out two stalwarts in the midfield. Aiden O’Neill was booked in Charlotte and must sit out the next match and Andres Perea suffered a gruesome, season ending injury during the match. So, Jansen will have to look to his bench and retool during the international break.

Philadelphia scored five goals to send Chicago packing and will be salivating to see NYCFC come into the next match not fully formed. Who knows though. It has already been a more successful season than anyone expected for NYCFC. Why not one or two or even three more?