New York City FC’s new formula is working
A few weeks ago, it was popular to write off New York City FC. Now after a 2-0 win over Inter Miami, it is clear that all the hand-wringing and despair over NYCFC’s season is a thing of the past.
After an uneven 20 minutes to start the match, NYCFC pulled off a rather emphatic result at Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon. The win cements the club in second place in the Eastern Conference at 9-5-4 (31 points). After the weekend win, they are 10 points off the New England Revolution for top of the Eastern Conference (and the league table, for that matter).
New York City FC hasn’t lost in their last six games, taking 14 points from this run. Perhaps just as impressive is that the club has four shutouts from these six matches and allowed just three goals total during this stretch.
“Defend as a team, we have done that all season. The teams that played us were effective, but we have a great defense and a great goalkeeper too,” head coach Ronny Deila said after the match.
“But for me, the big difference from last season is that the whole team is defending together. It’s not three up front walking back, its compact, its together. It’s very clear who has different roles, and they execute it in a really good way. And that team spirit is really hard to break down, and it’s hard to create chances on us.”
For New York City FC, it has been about balance this season as the club has ridden through some rough times and form utilizing their depth. It is a solid roster built by sporting director David Lee, one lacking perhaps some of the bigger star power of years past but better constructed for the grind of the MLS season.
This is also a team that, while holding true to the City Football Group’s virtue of playing out the back and possessing the ball, has a bit more bite down their spine. As evidenced by their run of four shutouts in their last six matches, it is a team that is difficult to break down.
A recipe that, at the very least, should make this a tough side come the postseason.