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Toronto FC Vs New York City FC: 3 things to watch for – Alejandro Pozuelo arrives

By Connor Dittmeier

Genk's Alejandro Pozuelo pictured during the soccer match between STVV Sint-Truiden and KRC Racing Genk, Friday 18 January 2019 in Sint-Truiden, on the 22nd day of the 'Jupiler Pro League' Belgian soccer championship season 2018-2019. BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS (Photo credit should read YORICK JANSENS/AFP/Getty Images)
Genk's Alejandro Pozuelo pictured during the soccer match between STVV Sint-Truiden and KRC Racing Genk, Friday 18 January 2019 in Sint-Truiden, on the 22nd day of the 'Jupiler Pro League' Belgian soccer championship season 2018-2019. BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS (Photo credit should read YORICK JANSENS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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BRONX, NY – MARCH 10: Domenec Torrent Head Coach of New York City FC walks off the pitch after the 2019 Major League Soccer Home Opener match between New York City FC and DC United at Yankee Stadium on March 10, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie with a score of 0 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – MARCH 10: Domenec Torrent Head Coach of New York City FC walks off the pitch after the 2019 Major League Soccer Home Opener match between New York City FC and DC United at Yankee Stadium on March 10, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie with a score of 0 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

2. NYCFC lacking ‘clutch factor’?

Turmoil has been surrounding New York City FC ever since Domenec Torrent took over for Patrick Viera during the 2018 season. The club finished third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings but lost out to the eventual Champions, Atlanta United. And the many changes that Dome Torrent made led to an underwhelming latter-half of the year.

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The club no longer has the services of soccer legend, David Villa, who had been with the club since its inception in 2015. Yet, the Blues have added depth out wide with the additions of Alexandru Mitrita and Héber.

Torrent has decided to field the same backline as last season in addition to having their number one goalkeeper, Sean Johnson. Unfortunately, as noted above, NYCFC has not gotten off to a terrific start this season.

Three consecutive draws will leave a bitter taste of disappointment in the mouths of both fans and players. Against Orlando City SC, the side gave up the game-tying goal to Tesho Akindele in the 75th minute. The club also gave up a late penalty to Los Angeles FC leading to a 2-2 draw.

NYCFC could have found themselves with two out of three wins if the players had been able to see out the matches. Considering one of the draws came against one of the strongest teams in MLS, LAFC, Torrent will be positive of the side’s ability to score goals. In a conference where the largest gap from sixth to seventh has been five points, there is a constant desire to take advantage of every opportunity.

The club has been in the top three of the MLS Eastern Conference for three straight seasons, but this year might prove difficult to maintain that level of quality. The East is as competitive as ever, and NYCFC have proven themselves to lack the critical clutch factor to see out matches. That could well be a fatal flaw.

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