The Power of the Second Goal

It had been since September 24, 2023, that New York City FC had won a game buy two goals of more. That time, it was a 3-0 scoreline against Toronto, but with bottom dwelling New England Revolution coming to the Bronx on Saturday night, expectations were high to break the streak and score some goals. City did not disappoint, sending the visitors back north after scoring two second half goals.

Both fans and players were delighted after the match as City’s recent line of uncomfortable results were pushed to the background to savor the feeling of a solid victory.

City outplayed New England for most of the first half, controlling possession and dictating tempo but only managed on shot on target. They came out of the locker room in the second half an conceded more possession to New England but focused more of making their shots selection more dangerous. In the 57th minute, it all paid off with the young Argentine, Agustin Ojeda, sending an absolute rifle of a right footed shot from the center of the box to the top right corner.

It would take until stoppage time to get the second goal but what a beauty it was, Another young Argentine, Julian Fernandez, received the ball near midfield and executed a near perfect fast break followed by a left footed curler into the top left corner. After the second goal you could feel the whole stadium relax.

Nick Cushing addressed the change in atmosphere after the match. “We were in a one goal game tonight and that one goal game could have swung to a one – one if Matt Freese hadn’t made saves and that’s the reality. I think what we have to see is the power of the second goal. We were tight for ten minutes and then we get the second goal in the last four minutes and it’s like sitting on the beach right?”

Matt Freese had another excellent night in goal with six saves on the night. He echoed Cushing’s optimism after the match. “I thought it was a team performance for the whole 90 minutes, which is, you know, probably the first or second one we’ve had all season, and I think it shows what we can do when we’re all firing on all cylinders altogether.”

Apr 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) makes a save in the second half against the New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

New England have been pretty easy pickings for many teams this year so the test now for City is to prove themselves against a higher ranked opponent. For now, though, City can take the win and improve the process.

When I asked Cushing about the statements of some announcers on Apple TV from a couple of games ago who said ” New York City need a “proof of concept win” to show their process was working, Cushing was laughingly defiant. “In this moment you can take a free hit at us because we’re drawing a lot of games and we’re missing some chances and we lost some games, and we have to accept that. We have to accept that. But I know this is the time to take the shot at us because I know what’s coming”

After a win like Saturday’s, it does feel like good things are coming for the club and that is welcome news to the front office, coaches, players and fans alike.