NYCFC Falls To Philadelphia In Return To Yankee Stadium

 

Philadelphia moving up field looking for a fifth goal, which they eventually got to seal the win. Photo by Jason Schott.

In their first game in nearly two months at Yankee Stadium, New York City Football Club fell to the Philadelphia Union, 5-1, on Wednesday night.

NYCFC fell to sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference, with a record 11-7-11, and 40 points. They have gone winless in eight MLS games, with five draws and three losses.  Philadelphia improved to 8-9-12, with 33 points, and they are in ninth place.

Philadelphia got on the board just 15 minutes in, when Tai Baribo buried a header from the center of the box. 

Then, in the 25th, Mikael Uhre drilled one to the lower right part of the net from the center of the box, with Baribo assisting on that one. Seven minutes after that, Daniel Gazdag sent one to the left side of the net, from the center as well, and immediately, it was 3-0 Union.

NYCFC got a big lift heading into the break, as Alonso Martinez buried one in the 50th minute, with assists from Kevin O'Toole and James Sands.

That momentum didn't carry into the second half, as Philadelphia put it away in the 74th minute on a goal from Jakob Glesnes, assisted by Kai Wagner. Then, Jesus Bueno made it 5-1 Philadelphia in the 85th, with Quinn Sullivan and Samuel Adeniran assisting.

As impressive as the goal onslaught was, Philadelphia's goalkeeper, Andrew Rick, also had a big night, as he made seven saves. 

NYCFC had 26 shots overall, with nine on net, while Philadelphia only had 12 shots, with seven on target, making their five goals all the more impressive.

Next up for NYCFC is the top team in the MLS, Inter Miami, who has 63 points and a record of 19-6-4, and is led by international superstar Lionel Messi. It will be this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Yankee Stadium, and they are expecting massive crowds.

COACH'S COMMENTS: NCYFC Head Coach Nick Cushing addressed the media after the game: 

On remaining resilient during a difficult stretch: "I have complete confidence in this group and the complete confidence that we can get results because we've shown it throughout the season. I don't disagree that we're without winning eight. However, you can address that up how you like. Six of the games were away, only two of them we lost, and [we] should have won the Chicago [Fire FC] game. That's the disappointing part tonight. 

"Tonight was a difficult night, we conceded three goals [in the first half], making the game almost impossible. As a team, we still showed life. Alonso [Martinez] got the goal before halftime and came out. [He] created five, six huge chances in the game which we didn't take. Then, we gave them a goal and [a] set play. We have to look at why that happened. We have to look at and quickly fix why those moments aren't falling our way because that's what's impacting our ability to win football games at this moment. 

"I looked around the group and there's a group that wants to play the next game now because tonight is so difficult. Like I said before, if we were being outplayed or on our backs against teams, then I would sit here and say, 'I'm worried about the postseason.' However, I've seen enough this season and enough within these games that gives me complete confidence that we'll get back to winning ways and continue to win football matches."

On overcoming this loss, with Inter Miami CF coming in Saturday: "It's about a reaction. I said after we were up 2-0 against Cincinnati and we give away four. I said after that in the press [conference] that - I will keep saying it, and I believe it - tough times make top teams. We were all sitting after New England and Tigres (in the Leagues Cup), [feeling] proud and happy about our team. These moments questioned the character of the group, questioned the character of each individual, questioned the character of myself as the coach. I love this game because it's a team game. I love being part of the team and that's what we lose, the most important part is the character of the group and the character of the individuals and how we react to it. I'm certain, confident, and I 100% believe that the character and the spirit of this group is hurting now, and the only way to pick ourselves up is to react."