In one of the most rollercoaster seasons to date the 2023 New York City FC Club was able to see a victory against the Chicago Fire by a final score of 1-0 in MLS action on Saturday evening, but sadly due to the team’s missed opportunities during the year the team just missed the playoffs.
With an enthusiastic crowd of 23,620 at Citi Field, the guys played a tremendous match as both they and Chicago thrilled all in attendance with the chances that they were able to create on the pitch.
The home side got the action going first thanks to a right footed shot by Santiago Rodriguez that was saved around the 4′.
Then it was Chicago responding in the 16′ as Fabian Herbers tried for a left footed shot, as Matt Freese made a wonderful play in the net to deny that chance.
With NYCFC quickly moving up the field and showing off some video games moves Talles Magno responded with a chance at the 18 mark that just missed the cage.
The Boys in Blue continued to try for the first goal of the night on an attempt by Keaton Parks in the 20′ that also just missed.
There was a ton of action by both squads, as both sides delighted the crowd with the ability to move the ball up and down the pitch.
As the whistle sounded for the half both sides were at a 0-0 draw heading into the locker room.
Fans are encouraged to check out the video below for thoughts from Head Coach Nick Cushing
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Then heading into the half NYCFC seemed as if they were a team reignited, as they once again continued to combine and pass the ball to each other with a great show of soccer being displayed on the field.
It was in the 64′ that Julián Fernández got rewarded with the team’s first goal on the night, as he put in a left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner.
Fernández is one of the players that is going to be fun to watch in future MLS seasons, especially if he is one brough back to the club for the 2024 season, as one can see his confidence and skill growing with every match he played.
For Fernández the goal was the second of the season.
From there it was the combination of NYCFC defense along with Freese keeping the Chicago team off the scoreboard to earn the 1-0 victory and the final three points of the 2023 season.
Freese one of the newer guys on the NYCFC roster, opened a ton of eyes with his playing ability and backed it up with some impressive results. Matt was able to be in the cage for his fifth clean sheet of the season in 10 starts.
In other impressive stats for Freese, he played in all 90 minutes of the match, making four saves, while recording an 80.6% pass accuracy rating.
In the so close and yet so far away department though, due to the results around the MLS and the missed opportunities throughout the 2023 Season the Boys in Blue were eliminated from playoffs.
There are a ton of things to be proud of with this 2023 NYCFC squad, including the fact that they showed a ton of heart and resilience throughout the year. In addition to the development of the younger guys hoping to be a part of the squad for the 2024 season and beyond.
Up next are going to be the toughest parts for the management crew of New York City FC as they are in the process of deciding what to do next.
With the team building a State-of-the-Art Soccer Specific Stadium in Queens, New York, who do they bring back as a part of the 2024 season, what do they do with Head Coach Nick Cushing?
How does this franchise that won the MLS Championship in 2021 regain their championship form?
There are going to be a ton of questions to be answered in the next few months as the countdown to the 2024 NYCFC season begins.
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