After the recent news of New York City F.C’s Frank Lampard departing, it’s time to say goodbye to legendary midfielder. Despite what the critics says, Lampard has stapled his place in NYCFC history.
Well, the time for Lampard to say goodbye has come.
One of NYCFC’s first designated players is set to leave the club and will break up the trio. The 38-year old veteran midfielder will let his contract expire at the end of the year and start a new chapter in his life.
Despite a two year career with the club, Lampard will never be forgotten in this club’s young history. Being one of the club’s first designated players, Lampard gets a grade and if it was up to me, I’d give him a solid B.
Lampard wasn’t great nor was he bad, he performed just about right and what this club needed. Ever since his signing was announced, controversy fluttered around the Englishmen after shaky contract talks between Manchester City and NYCFC.
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The situation was quite unclear, so not even stepping on the pitch for NYCFC, Lampard’s MLS career was off to a rocky start. Especially at his age, his fitness levels were questioned and many wondered if he could last in this young league.
On August 1st, Lampard made his club debut as a substitute, hoping to have a bright start and lead this club to the play-offs in the inaugural season. Breaking into the first team, Lampard managed to net MLS’s fastest goal in history against D.C United and in 10 appearances, Lampard would finish the season with a mere three goals.
When this campaign begun, the atmosphere was something else, especially under the Frenchmen Patrick Vieira. The supporters were waiting to see how Lampard would flourish under a new system and lead the way with David Villa and Andrea Pirlo.
If you thought Lampard’s start in the MLS was controversial, the first two months of the 2016 campaign doesn’t compare one bit. After being out 6-8 weeks due to an apparent calf injury that kept everyone out of the loop, his status hit a new low.
The supporters didn’t want anything to do with him and the league was calling him, “MLS‘ Worst Designated Player”. He seemingly lost the trust of the NYCFC and when he made his 2016 debut, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
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It came on a day where the fans suffered a 7-0 defeat at the hands of their crosstown rivals, the New York Red Bulls. Once Lampard touched the pitch, he heard how the fans felt about him and Yankee Stadium was filled with boos and jeers.
Two weeks later, the Chelsea legend made what I consider, one of the best comebacks in MLS history. He would go onto score his first goal of the season on his first career start and kept the ball rolling in the net. Just two days later against the Seattle Sounders, Lampard put in back-to-back goals leading NYCFC to three points.
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A week later against the New England Revolution, he netted the game’s lone goal and was named MLS Player of the Week. The Chelsea legend even managed to staple his mark in NYCFC history as he scored the club’s first ever hat-trick in a 5-1 win over the Colorado Rapids.
Lampard went onto finish the season with 12 goals in 20 appearances and despite what he displayed on the field, his biggest contribution was off the field. One of the reasons why Lampard was brought on was to lead this club and show the youngsters the tools of the game.
Like Vieira and Claudio Reyna expressed, he brought his mentality, his experience, his style and many more in the locker room, exactly what the club needed. On the club’s site, Lampard commented on his departure.
"“I have very much enjoyed my time, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to play for such a great club and in such an incredible city.”"
I don’t know about everyone else, but I think the NYCFC faithful should be grateful for what the English legend brought to this club. We all got the chance to see one of the best midfielders this game has to offer. At his age, gave whatever he could and as a fan, that’s all we really ask for.
No, he didn’t get to lift that MLS Cup, but he did lead the way towards the play-offs and for that we thank you Lampard. Thank you for bringing your years of service for this game in this club’s history and the memories you’ve given.
And if Lampard has showed us anything it’s that, it’s not how you start, but how you finish and that those boos will turn into cheers.
Thank You, Frank Lampard.