There is No Try, Only Do at NYCFC

It was Star Wars Day at Citi Field and May the Fourth was with New York City Football Club on Sunday as the team from the Empire State defeated FC Cincinnati, 1-0. While the scoreline was small, the performance by the club was great and if New York ad converted a few more of their big chances this could have been a statement game for the club.

New York City came out of the gates like a x-wing attacking the Death Star. Pascal Jansen had tweaked the line up a bit, partly because of injuries and also to match up against the back three formation Cincy loves to play. Hannes wolf moved back to left fullback and Andres Perea slotted into his spot on the wing. Wolf functioned almost as an elbow back and created an overload on the left wing that the team from Ohio had no response for. The plan worked beautifully. Julian Fernandez struck home just nine minutes into the match with a deft shot created by an overload on the left side. New York City never looked back.

Julian Fernandez celebrating after his goal Photo Credit: Newyorkcityfc.com

Alonso Martinez easily could have had a hat trick on the day but luck ( or the force) had him hit the post twice, once on a PK after he was dragged down in the box by Matt Miazga nd another on a wide open goal from a odd angle. He also was wide open for a header in the second half but sent it over the bar.
It was a dominant performance, especially in the first half, against a very good Eastern Conference foe. New York had an expected goal tally of two and a half and a total of four big chances on the day. It was a startling turn around from the team fans had seen on the road in New England and even in the win in Toronto. They were aggressive, fun to watch and moving the ball quickly up the field. If Martinez had been a little more clinical in his shots it would have been a blow out.

Hannes Wolf spoke about the game plan after the match.“I think we had a good game plan, to be honest. I think [Cincinnati] didn’t expect that we would play like we did—with me and Julián [Fernández] wide and pretty high. I think in the first half, we dominated the whole game. We have to finish the game way earlier when we take our chances. Even in the second half, when they changed their lineup a little bit, we still adapted well. As I said, we could have finished the game even earlier.”

Hannes Wolf exploring his new position as Let Back. Photo Credit: Newyorkcityfc.com

Julian Fernandez had perhaps his best game this year for New York City. They winger has been locked battling for his starting spt and he made the most of it with his return to the line up. Jansen spoke about the process after the match. “Julián Fernández is a guy who has had to deal with several situations since I arrived. He had a very good preseason and a good start to the MLS season, but he’s only 21, so you know it’ll go up and down. We’re trying to build more consistency into the team—including Juli. As with all creative attacking players, they need to have that good feel. Today, he showed his quality on-and-off the ball. His decisions were good. I just saw the goal again—it’s high quality, very high quality – Spins it off the goalkeeper. He’s been training like a maniac. You guys remember when I took him off before halftime [v. Minnesota United]? That’s a tough blow. I was curious to see how he’d show up to the next training. He just got back to work—worked even harder than before. That says a lot about his character and personality. I’m very grateful to help him develop, and what he showed tonight is a very, very important step in the right direction.”

A step in the right direction indeed. Just to exhaust the metaphor, if Jansen is Yoda and Fernandez is Skywalker, the Luke may have just levitated the rock.

New York City has a brutal schedul in May, playing eight games in the span of a month. If they win Wednesday in the Open Cup, then it will be nine. Jansen is going to need all the Jedi mind tricks he can muster to keep this not very deep squad afloat. With reinforcements coming in the form of new signing, Aiden O’Neil, and the summer transfer window offering the hope of more, if New York City can keep their blaster’s firing and stay in playoff position then there may be a new hope after all.