The New York City Football club struggled putting the ball near the net, only getting their first shot on goal 90 minutes in as the team fell to the Houston Dynamo 1-0 at Shell Stadium. Few opportunities existed on either end for the majority of the first half however the Dynamo had a great opportunity when goalkeeper Luis Barraza turned the ball over at the 23 minute mark, causing an open net shot to go wide.
The deciding factor of the match came at the 52 minute mark when Defender Tayvon Gray apparently tripped Hector Herrera inside the box, a foul head coach Nick Cushing had issues with. “It was a really soft penalty, there’s a reason why they didn’t give it right away. If games are going to be decided on decisions like that, it should have ended in a draw”. After the foul was confirmed by VAR Amine Bassi picked up his second goal in as many games, taking a right footed penalty kick to the left side just past the outstretched arm of Barraza for the 1-0 score and eventual final.
Definitely a sluggish match between the two squads and a match that seemed poised from the onset to end up a draw. With that, NYCFC heads back north to take on New England in Foxboro where the temperature is at the moment predicted to be about 40 degrees and rain.
5 NOTES:
1) Luis Barraza came up with an apparently leg injury late in the match, drawing medical attention and spurring questions if we’d see Matt Freese for the first time this season, but felt well enough to stay in. Between the injury and some other concerns it’s possible we may see Freese get his start next week against the Revolution.
2) Speaking of the Revs, the first place Revolution so far sit at 4-1 on the season and 2-0 at home. 2 of their 5 goals come from longtime Forward Gustavo Bao. NYCFC has taken two of the last 3 matches against New England, but lost the most recent match back in September 3-0.
3) Coming back to NYCFC, the team thus far this year has struggled on the road, going 0-2-1 with only 1 goal (against Chicago in week 2). With the addition of Richy Ledezma who I was impressed with against Houston despite joining the club literally 24 hours before the match I’m curious to see what he can do with a week under his belt back in the states and if he can help the club get over this small road hurdle.
About the author – Scott Churchson has been an actor in every way for the past 13 years, from BG to stand in to stunts and principal, a sports writer for the past 4 and is one of the people that created Stream Punk Entertainment. He’s married to a veterinarian, has a cat with three working legs and is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe.
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