New York City FC had struggled in the attacking third during the opening weeks of the season. Such problems are now behind them after the Orlando City victory.
New York City swept Orlando aside in a 3-0 victory in Florida to move above their opponents and into third in the Eastern Conference standings.
NYC are starting to look more and more like they will claim a place at the higher end of the table once again this season. They have already recorded a series of strong results and have improved drastically in the final third.
It was at Orlando on the opening day where they dominated possession and were the better of the two sides, but failed to take advantage of their superiority. A strong performance on the opening day is normally a positive, despite a loss, as it provides confidence that results would eventually come their way. The result may not have coincided with the run of play on that night, but it certainly did tonight.
And they have begun to quite often in recent weeks. A few weeks ago, they went to then league leaders Columbus Crew and overturned a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2. The next week they dominated MLS expansion side Atlanta United when they won 3-1 at Yankee Stadium. They claimed an impressive win once more tonight.
It had taken quite a while for NYC’s attack to deliver. Throughout the first few weeks of the season, they struggled to create many chances and failed to capitalize when they did so. However, since their victory at Columbus, the goals have started to flow.
After scoring over two on only one occasion in the opening seven weeks of the season, they have now managed to score three goals a game in three of their previous five.
Even beyond such statistics, their victories are still a representation of respectable quality. Columbus were unbeaten at home prior to NYC’s visit, while the New Yorkers were unable to field star striker and MLS MVP David Villa as well. Despite the unfavorable circumstances, the away side still claimed three points.
Meanwhile, Atlanta had been scoring for fun since their debut match. However, despite Atlanta’s goal, NYC FC limited their threat in the attacking third and could have had a few more than just three goals with more accurate finishing.
However, the victory at Orlando is arguably their strongest statement yet. Orlando had sat second before this fixture and had dropped points just once at home. NYC FC’s dominant display sent the Florida side crashing to their first home defeat of the season.
FT: Job done.#NYCFC 3-0 @OrlandoCitySC pic.twitter.com/lfDIIQ1ANs
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017
49 and counting… pic.twitter.com/oCci46Bl3V
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017
Close! @mmoralezoficial almost makes it 3-0 as #NYCFC keep up the momentum after halftime… pic.twitter.com/pNKP4XUPLo
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017
.@rodwallace22 feeling it tonight ? #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/2BD12vA0a8
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 22, 2017
Doubling up! @rodwallace22 slides in at the back post to score his fourth goal for #NYCFC… pic.twitter.com/MFtIzOlBJS
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 21, 2017
How @Guaje7Villa scored #NYCFC's first-ever goal at @OrlandoCitySC Stadium… pic.twitter.com/Ue8u4lkiMo
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) May 21, 2017
Such dominance away to a team that have been excellent so far this season is yet another mark of quality and the ability to contend for silverware.
While they failed to win their previous two away games, Dallas’s current third place position in the Western Conference certainly validates a point in Texas. Vieira’s men disappointed in Salt Lake a few days later, but most sides in the MLS would find it difficult to play a second away game in a matter of days after a tough fixture against Dallas.
Still, the Yankee Stadium club must be able to handle a rough schedule from time to time if they are to maintain their place near the top of the Eastern Conference.
When they began their season at Orlando, NYC fell despite a solid performance. Though strong performances continued, they struggled to obtain strong results. However, their superiority throughout their clash with Orlando certainly paid off on their second match at the Orlando City Stadium and looks like it will continue to in upcoming weeks.