March saw the competitive launch of New York City, the City Football Group’s venture into Major League Soccer, with the Bronx-based side playing four game in their debut month, for most of which they topped the Eastern Conference. Here is our monthly round-up of their fixtures, a new feature which we’ll also be doing for Melbourne City when the next A-League season starts later this year.
New York faced their first game in early March, having prepared with friendlies in England and in America as well. Their first ever match came against Orlando City, another new MLS franchise coincidentally playing their first competitive game at the start of this season. NYCFC made the trip to Florida for the game, and walked out to much anticipation. Despite finding it hard to break out from the shackles of the Orlando midfield, New York did manage to take the lead on 76 minutes thanks to USA international Mix Diskerud with a fine finish, but the dream of a winning start wasn’t to be, as former Real Madrid and AC Milan star Kaka, now playing for Orlando, scored an injury time free-kick to ensure a share of the points.
A week later, New York played their first game on home turf, with New England Revolution the visitors to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. After a restricted previous in Orlando the previous week, NYCFC stepped it up a notch against New England, and despite some scares, managed to pull off a 2-0 win that left New York top of the Eastern Conference of the MLS. David Villa scored the first with a good curling finish, before former New England draftee Patrick Mullins sealed the win seconds after coming on as a substitute to give NYCFC their first ever win.
New York City were back on the road for their next game, with Colorado the destination. Once again, New York struggled to break down a tough Colorado Rapids side, with Josh Saunders doing fantastically well in the visitors’ goal to keep the game goalless, which is how it finished. Some bad news for City fans in particular – loanee Shay Facey, starting his first game for his temporary club, was sent off late in the second half for a second booking, putting a dampener on the day. However, NYCFC managed to hold out for the draw that meant they stayed top of the Eastern Conference.
In the last game of the month, New York were back at home for the visit of Sporting Kansas City. Whilst it wasn’t necessarily a bad performance from Jason Kreis’ team, it certainly won’t go down long in the memory (although the result will go into the record books). After a good month, the challenge of Sporting KC proved too much, with NYCFC succumbing to a long throw from Matt Besler, which was met high in the air by Ike Opara, who fired past Saunders after 12 minutes. A depleted New York side (missing the likes of Villa through injury, as well as Adam Nemec and Khiry Shelton to international duty) worked hard to get back in the game, but it wasn’t quite enough and they finished the game as 1-0 losers. It leaves them 3rd in the Eastern Conference, just behind DC United and New York Red Bulls.
Particular praise must be directed towards Josh Saunders for his performances in March. He’s pulled off some stunning saves at times, and New York probably wouldn’t be where they are without him. Mix Diskerud has also been impressive, as has Jason Hernandez in the centre of defence.
Once New York come back from the international break, which starts later in America than England, they face two MLS fixtures against Philadelphia Union as the first two fixtures in April, before facing league games against Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire to round off the month.
