The New York City Football Club dropped to a league worst 0W-3L-0D after a BRUTAL 2-1 loss in their home opener against the visiting Portland Timbers. With a home opener already that could already been considered as “anxious” the team needed a win to help stem the tie. And for the first half, it 100% looked like that win was on the horizon. It took just 10 minutes for the club, who had been shut out the first two matches, to get on the scoreboard as Santiago Rodriguez took a right footed shot to the left side of the goal to give the team a much needed fast start and a 1-0 lead.
The shots continued as the club from the Bronx fired 4 shots on goal in the first half. By comparison, the team had a total of just 3 shots on goal against Charlotte and St. Louis to start the year.
However the second half showed adjustments that made this writer anxious. Portland and it’s new head coach Phil Neville clearly made adjustments and came out with a far greater intensity and energy than they displayed in the first half with far more time in the NYCFC zone. Finally, as it had happened so many times last season, the team would give up it’s 1-0 lead late in the match as Antony scored from 11 feet out at the 85th minute and crushing the crowd of 24,000. However if that wasn’t enough, it would get worse as 7 minutes into added time just before the end of the match Evander picked up the game deciding goal, giving the Timbers a 2-1 lead late, and the final goal of the match.
The air was absolutely heavy as all of us were stunned. So close to a much needed 3 points and a chance to get back on track. In the press conference, head coach Nick Cushing took the blame on himself, but was far more animated than usual.
Next up, the team stays in New York as they take on former captain Sean Johnson and visiting Toronto FC Saturday night March 16.
5 Notes:
1) This is the first time since the 2020 season that the club lost a home opener.
2) His goal in the first half was Santiago Rodriguez’s 14th overall goal with the club if you include the MLS Playoffs.
3) The team had 26 fouls in this match. By comparison they had 17 & 13 against Charlotte and St. Louis respectively.
4) Keaton Parks lead the team with passes in the attacking zone with 7.
5) The team is now a shocking 0W-5L-0D against Portland at home all time.
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, a mother-in-law who just moved in and is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe.