New York City Football Club got some help from Miami’s Christopher McVey to remain unbeaten in their home openers and to get their first win of the 2023 season on Saturday night.
It was a cold night in the Bronx as NYCFC defeated Inter Miami by the score of 1-0. It was a very competitive game but in the end Miami shot themselves in the foot in the 36th minute as McVey tried to clear a through ball into the box and inadvertently sent it into the back of their own net. That goal proved to be the difference in between the squads on the night.
Miami’s coach, Phil Neville said ” The difference between the two teams in last year’s playoff was significant but tonight we saw two equal teams on the pitch.” It was a very even affair with Miami enjoying 57% of the possession but with NYCFC creating over twice as many chances on the night.
NYCFC was buoyed by two recent additions to the team. James Sands returning from loan from Glasgow Rangers and Santiago Rodriguez returning to the club under a new designated player contract. Both players looked lively with Sands controlling the midfield and Rodriguez injecting some life into the NYCFC attack.
Perhaps the hero of the night was Miami’s keeper, Drake Callender, who make some big saves in the second half to deny NYCFC the second goal. The home team came close several times but could not quite find the dagger to close down the game. NYCFC’s head coach, Nick Cushing, was quick to point that out after the game. “If we want to be one of the top teams in the league we have to score the goal.”
When Cushing was asked about the big difference between the game at home and the prior two this season he sang the praises of the two new additions but also said, “The big difference tonight was that our subs made us better.”
Cushing used his subs to add defensively to the team adding Tavon Gray, Andres Jasson, and Alfredo Morales to close out the win. Gray was a solid replacement for Mitja Ilenic, although not as dangerous going forward, and Andres Jasson was very sharp on the wing, tracking back when needed but also getting into some very dangerous positions up front. Morales returned from injury to add a solid defensive presence and to allow Keaton Parks to move forward in the attack.
On the whole the night, it was a good showing for NYCFC and they seem to be getting better with each game of the season. Tonight, they were dangerous in a way fans have yet to see them as this season, but they were not deadly. real questions remain at striker. Talles Magno certainly looks the part and has the talent but the young Brazilian seems more interested in roaming to the wing rather than good hold up play and scoring goals. time will tell is he can develop into the striker NYCFC need or if new additions are on the way to shore up the position and allow him back to the wing.
In any case, fans are celebrating in the Bronx and all over New York City tonight. New York is blue and still unbeaten in their home openers.
