New York City FC: With or without Héber, playoff success possible

Héber has been vital to New York City FC’s 2019 season, but in their final few games of the regular season, Dome Torrent’s side proved that they can succeed without their top goalscorer.

While the regular season has come and gone and the playoffs await for New York City FC, fans can breathe a sigh of relief: the Pigeons finished the regular season with a 4-2-1 record.

In five of those games, including four straight, the team was without their top goalscorer, Héber, who revolutionised the team upon his late arrival earlier in the season.

Early in September, head coach Domènec Torrent revealed that the Brazilian would ‘miss at least three or four weeks.’ At the time, Héber had 14 goals to his name. He was New York’s attacking talisman, their top goalscorer and key attacking spearhead. His loss could have devastated the hope of claiming first in the East.

But NYCFC stepped up. They went 3-2-0 in the games without Héber. Some games were gritty and not as pretty, including part of the final regular-season game against the Philadelphia Union. Others were more free-flowing. But at the end of the season, when results matter more than anything, New York City FC hung on.

In those final seven games, Héber played in just two, where the team was 1-0-1. He came on as a substitute in the 4-1 win against Atlanta United, replacing hat-trick hero Alexandru Mitriță before scoring a goal of his own. However, his final regular-season game was a 2-0 loss to the New England Revolution, which he started.

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Unfortunately, prior to the final game of the season in Philadelphia, which NYCFC won 2-1, Héber picked up an injury and was switched out of the starting XI. Dylan Butler at Pro Soccer USA reported Torrent initially expected Héber ‘to start <…> the first playoff game.’ However, Butler added that Héber would be ready to play ’30-40 minutes’ should he not be fit to start. Either way, then, it looks like the Brazilian will be an option.

There is no doubt Héber has been an important signing. When he is on the pitch, the team looks more cohesive and complete, especially offensively. But being over-reliant on one player is never a positive place to be. That these last seven games prove New York can play and have success without Héber is extremely encouraging. Unlike earlier in the season, there are now other players who can take on attacking mantle. Mitriță is in excellent form, having scored five in the last seven games, Maxi Moralez is the assist king, and the defense has been putting their hearts and bodies on the line also. This team is ready to play in the playoffs and compete, with or without Héber.

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And so, if there is some reason that Héber cannot play, there is no reason for New York City FC fans to fear. The record speaks for itself.

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