With an opportunity for New York City FC to cement their spot in the 2023 MLS Playoffs, the guys lost a 2-0 decision to D.C. United in MLS action on Saturday at Audi Field.
It was an emotional night for both squads as for the home side of D.C. United even though the team sits in Ninth Place in the MLS Standings, which usually qualifies a team for the Playoffs, because of the overall record of 10-10-14 the team is mathematically eliminated.
Because of that it was announced afterward that D.C. United announced that Head Coach Wayne Rooney has left his role as the head coach of the team.
D.C. United during the course of the 2023 Season is led by Christian Benteke as he scored 14 goals, while Mateusz Klich led the way with Nine Assists.
Meanwhile, for the Boys in Blue they are still mathematically in the race for the 2023 MLS Playoffs, but that chance at the Dance is going to come on the team’s Decision Day that is to be played at Citi Field on October 21.
One of the toughest trends for NYCFC thus far is the fact that the team has not been able to find results on the road, as the guys have a 1W-8L-8D record.
Throughout the match both NYCFC and D.C. United saw some early exchanges, as they both played an exciting style of soccer. It was around the 14th minute when Santiago Rodríguez found Kevin O’Toole. It was O’Tool putting the shot on the net that was saved by D.C. United Goalkeeper Alex Bono.
NYCFC fans are encouraged to check out the following video as Head Coach Nick Cushing and Defender Thiago Martins share these thoughts after the team’s tough loss to D.C. United on 10/7/23…..video is compliments of NYCFC:
Then it was at the 16′ and 22′ that NYCFC had two great chances on shots by Tayvon Gray and Andrés Perea, to try to give the vising side an early lead.
D.C. United got their first chance at a goal at the 24′ when Klich tried for a right footed shot from outside the box that hit the post.
With both sides trying to figure out what it is going to take to gain the lead, there wasn’t another attempt for the home side in D.C. United till about the 41′ when Matai Akinmboni tried for a header of the center of the box.
As NYCFC was able to gain the possession after that chance, they were able to respond with a great shot by Perea, as he just missed a left footed shot from outside the box.
Then it was D.C. United trying for a respond, and at the 45′ got the lead on a a goal by Klich from a left footed attempt on the left side of the field for a 1-0 lead.
The Boys in Blue narrowly missed an opportunity to tie things up prior to the half as Talles Magno tried for a quality header from the center of the box that was just a bit too high of the cage.
As the teams made adjustments after the half, it was NYCFC that got the action going on a strong note on a great attempt by Magno at the 54′, shortly after Rodriguez tried for a rebound that just missed and had the NYCFC fans biting their nails at the tension of the opportunities that were attempted.
Perea tried for a chance to tie things at the 56′ as he went for a header from the center of the box. Then it was Andres Jasson trying for a shot at the 59′, that one was an intriguing one as it was from a difficult angle.
D.C. United was able to increase their lead at the 62′ as Chris Durkin connected on a left footed shot from the center of the box.
From there it was pedal to the medal for NYCFC as they tried to make the night a close one in terms of results. It was at the 71′ when Magno tried for a shot from the center of the box that was saved by Bono.
There was another great chance by NYCFC at the 77′ when Mounsef Bakrar hit the right post with his left foot, that once again had the supporters of the Boys in Blue and the team moaning in how close that chance is.
With D.C. United gaining possession of the ball, they almost increased their lead again at the 78′ when Klich tried for a right footed shot that was saved by NYCFC keeper Matt Freese.
D.C. United had themselves another great opportunity at the 80′, 81′, 82′ as Derrick Williams, Gabriel Pirani, and Erik Hurtado all tried for the third goal of the night.
There was a ton of back-and-forth action by both sides, but ultimately at the end of it all it was D.C. United with the 2-0 victory.
For the Boys in Blue, they have the stage set up for what is going to be an emotional Day on October 21. That is going to be the team’s Decision Day at Citi Field, as things stand currently, the guys have a chance mathematically at the 2023 MLS Playoffs but are going up against a tough Chicago Fire squad.
Chicago currently sits in 11th Place in the Eastern Conference Standings with their 10-13-10 mark and are led by Maren Haile-Selassie with his six goals.
The good news for the Boys in Blue though is that they have played well in front of the crowds at Both Yankee Stadium and at Citi Field. Prior to the match vs D.C. United the Boys in Blue are playing well since last august, as they have scored nine goals and recorded four shutouts.
The stage is set for NYCFC as they take on the Chicago Fire in MLS Action on Decision Day at Citi Field on October 21, with the start of the match scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
For more information on New York City FC fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: