On a beautiful September night in the Bronx, a flailing New York City Football club got exactly what they needed: a clean sheet, their first win since August 21st, and another trophy for the case. The team won the Campeones Cup in fine fashion sending reigning Liga MX Apertura and Clausura Champions, Atlas FC, back home to Mexico 2-0.
The win was exactly what was needed for both the players and the fans. Yankee stadium was electric with over 24000 in attendance on a weeknight. Bothe teams were well represented in the stands but the home squad could take some life an energy seeing their stadium that full.
And they pounced early on in the fourth minute with Alexander Callens tapping a goal home to put the boys in blue up for good. NYCFC would never look back controlling possession and creating dangerous chances throughout the game. They doubled the scored in the second half off some fine build up play between Talles Magno and Maxi Morales resulted in Morales scoring again. It was also the team’s first clean sheet and win since August 21st.
The results displayed what this team is capable of. They are designed to win games and trophies and the Campeones Cup marks the second bit of silverware in as many years for the club. NYCFC has been riddled with injuries and suspensions and have had to piecemeal line ups throughout the last ten games. the results have not been good with the club giving up easy goals and not capitalizing on the chances they create. All that was over Wednesday night as the club finally was able to start a healthy back three of Thiago Martins, Maxime Chanot, and Callens. That sturdy line of defense translated to the rest of the team and gave them a confidence again going forward. Head coach, Nick Cushing spoke about the game and the implications going forward.
“I think, if you isolate the game, I fully believed the team could win. I knew the game would be really difficult but I fully believed the team could win. But of course in the back of your mind, you have the run that we’ve [NYCFC] been on and the results that we’ve [NYCFC] had. I think the frustration has come from the last three games we’ve played really well. Really really cheap goals in the New England [Revolution] game, missed chances in the [FC] Cincinnati game and then the poor goal in the Charlotte game. And then the end of the game where we take the game to them and we just don’t create the opportunities. I could feel the locker room before the game, I felt that there was a real drive and a real hunger. I was just so happy for the guys because of the work that they’ve put in and the way that they’ve responded week in and week out. “
Sep 14, 2022; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC defender Alexander Callens (6) battles for a high ball against against Atlas midfielder Edison Flores (10) during the second half of the Campeones Cup final at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Now can the team translate what they found tonight this weekend when they play the Hudson River Derby at home against rivals NY Red Bulls? The game this weekend has major playoff implications but, even more, it is a source of pride for fans who can dictate whether New York in red or blue. NYCFC won their last match at Red Bull Arena and Red Bulls coach, Gerhard Stuber, who was in attendance at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night, has basically guaranteed a win for Red Bulls in recent comments made to the media. Cushing also was asked about that after the game.
“I wish soccer was so simple. He is obviously confident, I expect it and I expect it because last game was arguably the greatest ever performance of an NYCFC team against a [New York] Red Bull team. I think when you lose a derby it is hard, I think for him when he lost, the (NY Red Bulls) way that he lost, I think that is difficult. They (NY Red Bulls) will have incredible motivation to make sure that we do not play the football that we play in their home and win the way that we won. One thing I will say is tonight was a perfect warm-up game tonight for Red Bull due to the direct balls and smashing it from back to front and getting after it, it was a perfect warm up game.”
Indeed it was the perfect warm up to the rest of the MLS Season. It was a boost of confidence and a reminder of what this NYCFC team can be. Now can they translate it into something positive this weekend? That question will be answered Saturday when the team faces off with Red Bull in the Bronx.
