There is pain and suffering all over the world but not in Yankee Stadium. New York City Football Club (NYCFC) has effectively clinched a playoff spot and snapped visitors Charlotte Football Club’s six-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory on Saturday afternoon. It was a warm day on the cusp of the autumnal solstice when NYCFC shut out Wilfried Zaha and rest of the trending Charlotteans. This result comes with a massive supporters’ shield and Eastern Conference implications.
Coach Pascal Jansen set the team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a notable starter. Thiago Martins captained the side and shifted from right to left center back. Justin Haak moved to center midfield to make room for the new Brazilian signing, Raul Gustavo, to make his home starting debut at right center back. In only two and a half minutes, Gustavo made an instant impact, picking Alonso Martinez with a lovely flighted through ball that put Martinez through on goal. Martinez forced a solid save out of the Croatian keeper, Kristijan Kalina. The Costa Rican, Martinez, would find his luck later on.
Charlotte had threatening spells throughout the match as well. Inside ten minutes, after some intricate interplay, Zaha dribbled past two players, then had a powerful shot deflected that caused the United States Men’s National Team and NYCFC keeper Matt Freese to scramble to an awkward save out for a corner. The former English Football League young player of the year, Zaha, would continue to be stifled throughout the contest.
About a minute later, NYCFC forged into Charlotte’s final third, finding Andreas Perea inside the 18-yard box, where he looked to square the ball across. Perea narrowly evaded oncoming Kalina, who was questionably penalized for his challenge on Perea by center referee Tim Ford. Ford has come under scrutiny recently for incorrectly sending off a Vancouver Whitecaps player with an errant second yellow card against the San Jose Earthquakes last month. Ford was also investigated for his connection with Los Angeles Football Club after attending numerous LAFC games as a fan.
Alonso made use of the call, converting the first of two penalty kicks he would take on Saturday for his 16th goal of the campaign. The spot kick was well struck to the keeper’s right, making the game 1-0. Chances were few and far between until centerback Gustavo swashbuckled into Charlotte’s half and found Martinez again, who narrowly missed the top right with a curling right-footed effort in the 43rd minute. Kalina was also forced into one more good save down to his left just before the halftime whistle. The half ended with the city boys leading the guests, 1-0
In the 54th minute, NYCFC took a corner that bounced around the box like a jumping bean before Kevin O’Toole’s well-struck, weak-footed effort met the outstretched arm of an outfield player. After a few minutes of video assistant review, Ford awarded another penalty to the boys in blue. Replays determined this decision was clear-cut, conversely to earlier in the match. Israeli youngster, Idan Toklomani, was charged with handball. Martinez of NYCFC stepped up for the second time in the match and buried the chance again to the keeper’s right. 2-0 and Martinez’s 17th of the MLS season.
Ten minutes later, in the 66th, Haak’s headed clearance was picked up by Zaha just inside the 18. Zaha intercepted the attempted clearance and was promptly fouled by Jamaican international Tavyon Gray. Gray is one of the few players still left from the 2022 Major League Soccer Championship team. Zaha stepped up to convert the penalty he drew. Matt Freese had other ideas. Freese has created lore as one of the best penalty kick stoppers in the league. His reputation preceded him again when he saved Zaha’s low-driven kick with a diving save.
In the 70th minute, another dime from the backline almost led to NYCFC’s third. Tayvon Gray curled a lofted through ball into Martinez’s stride, who came inches from finding his hat trick in stunning fashion. A deft first touch and half volley would have surely been one of the goals of the season had it been on target.
In stoppage time, Hannes Wolf came close to scoring his third in two matches from a free kick. Wolf’s effort stung the mitts of Kahlina. The match concluded after a total of nine yellow cards and 98 minutes of play. 2-0 NYCFC vs. Charlotte FC.
Manager Pascal Jansen gave credit to his team and staff in the post-match press conference.
“I can have the ideas and the training schedule and the approach and the philosophy but they have to do the work. They have to understand which direction I want to go with them,” Jansen said. “The team is very open-minded and very coachable as well. If you look throughout the season, we have had some bumps… The approach is that every game should be a final. So big compliment to the team for taking on that mentality.”
NYCFC management will feel great about Freese’s new five-year contract extension with another saved penalty and a clean sheet. Martinez’s blistering form continues. The backline looked resolute. Wind is certainly at the sails of this mostly (shoutout to Maxi Moralez) young team. No rest for the weary as New York City will attempt to win three of three in this home stretch when Inter Miami pays a visit to the Bronx on Wednesday, September 24th. Messi and Co. are right on the heels of NYCFC in both the Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield race. Miami has struggled against the city boys in their short history as a club, but next week’s fixture could very well be an epic tie.
