What a difference, from looking as if they do not even belong in the BIM to looking as if they may just rule the bubble, the real NYCFC did stand up, finally. A new rule, no more crossbar challenge for Heber, he hit 2 of them in extra time one on a chip of the keeper, follow your shot next time another was sterred into it by the netminder. Seems today at least Argentina U-23 is better than USMNT as Taty took Gonzalez on his goal. Instant offense, just add Maxi, a goal and a no look assist to Taty, Medina drew first and almost second blood, a total team win. This game was a shot over the bow for the rest of those in Florida that NYCFC is back, firing on each and every cylinder as they dominated TFC. They played a pressing swarming defense as they dispossesed Toronto often in their defensive 3rd, that is a bad thing. It did not even seem to be the same team as played the other games in Orlando, they held the ball pressed far more on offense and all were very involved in the game. One thing they did not well was keeping up as they were after going up by 3, the shuout was lost as they took a far more defensive stance when there was no reason to do so, a goal gives the other side hope, they had about 3 good looks at goal before the ball got anywhere near the center line at one point.
Toronto had no answers for NYCFC, it was a new game plan that they were facing, it was a physical though not a dirty game not a surprise given the magnitude of games these two have been involved in over the last few years, this was the first such game that went to way of the NY'ers. Did this game silence all the nay sayers, no, not after 3 that were not so good but they do again enter into the conversation of having a bit of a run at least in these playoff rounds. When TFC made subs including Altidore, the complexion did change, he is a physical presence and the others are also leaders in game played for the reds. He plowed into Chanot giving him what appeared as he reacted by holding his neck to maybe suffering a whiplash type injury, later Samds made the mistake of putting his face into the swung elbow of Jozy. Sands had a great game going up against Captain America, Bradly a number of times and doing well.
It was an early lead that NYCFC jumped out to in just the 6', but they kept at it holding the ball moving it all about the field with aplomb, in my mind, I heard the Third Rail calling out ole, ole as they strung together those passes, even including Johnson a great deal of the time. The opening goal was on a bouncing ball that was just not able to be pushed wide by the netminder. Medina scant minutes later would have had a better chance of a brace had he used his right, the foot the defender was not on. Taty was able to get just a bit of space on Gonzalez and get his shot off following the no look pass from Maxi. Maxi would go in alone on goal and slot it home, then the biggest smile I ever saw on his face as he was hoisted up by Heber. That assist was #50, tops in NYCFC history, the goal was another for the #2 scorer in team lore.
Just as the team was geting healthy quick, Tajouri-Shradi may be hurt, Chanot did get a good knock, and Maxi had a very short shift as he was relieved by Parks, not cause for concern as the game was too far out of reach so why risk it. They will all have all but a week to get better as the next game is on Saturday. I have full confidence that should they play as they did today, they will be a challenge for either FCC or the Giovanni Saverese coached Timbers.