Chicago - Playing on the road in the regular season has long been the achilles heel of many NYCFC sides. Thus far in 2023, the trend continues as NYCFC dropped points to the Chicago Fire 1-1 at Soldier Field on Saturday Night. Talisman Gabriel Pereira opened his 2023 account with a B-e-a-utiful curler that caressed into the back on the net after doinking off the post. James Sands, NYCFC Homegrown previously on loan at Rangers in Scotland, returned to his parent club and put in a great shift until a calf cramp caused him to depart early. It should be noted that NYCFC conceded shortly after The Sandsman was replaced by fellow Homegrown Justin Haak. Talles Magno was again deployed as the No. 9 and again...underperformed in the role, leading fans to question the decision to trot him out in that role heading into the home opener versus Ft. Lauderdale CF this weekend. If NYCFC are to right the ship, they will need to provide the defense with some more goal support and continuously work on the chemistry in the attack. Also, many, many, many practice repetitions of defending set pieces are needed as 2/3 of the goals conceded thus far in 2023 have come from nearly identical set pieces from just inside their half of the field and were conceded largely due to poor marking.
NYCFC play their 2023 Home opener versus Ft. Lauderdale CF on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30pm. The matchup should be hotly contested as this is a re-match of the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs Opening Round which saw NYCFC emerge victorious on the way to a Eastern Conference Final appearance.
photo: NYCFC Facebook/ NYCFC staff photographers