NYCFC Jumps 3 Spots To 3rd In East With Big Win Against Columbus

Photo courtesy of USA TODAY Sports

 

Article by Scott Churchson IG: @schurchson

Columnist and Host Spanglish World Networks, Spanglish Sports World

 

New York. - This article is going out to every team in major league soccer not called NYCFC: Be afraid, be very afraid. After an up and down season the Gents in Blue have found their stride, finally turning their barrage of shots on net into goals. With last night's 4-1 dismantling of visiting Columbus in front of the Yankee Stadium crowd, this is a team that is showing results from that effort. And the rest of the league no doubt is taking notice.

 

Coming into this match The Crew had gone undefeated in their last six going 2-0-4 during that span.  In particular, Lucas Zelarayán had been brutal to NY, having scored three goals in two matches this season with two coming on free kicks for game winners. Additionally Columbus was 2-0 against NY this season, although their last meeting on July 17 they escaped with a win by the skin of their teeth; something NY certainly pulled much from last night.

 

NYCFC was on a two game win streak of its own, having beaten Montreal 1-0 followed by completely dismantling Orlando last Sunday by a score of 5-0. With goals by Taty Castellanos at the 14th minute coming off a Medina corner kick (his second in as many matches after the drought) along with Thiago, Keaton Parks and Santiago Rodriguez, NY registered as many shots on goal as Columbus simply registered shots at 9. It was as lopsided a match as it could be.

 

I am disappointed a bit however, as Barraza was as close to registering his third straight shutout as anyone could be, but a penalty shot goal at the 7th added minute by Pedro Santos would account for the Crew’s lone goal. Still, with this win NYCFC vaulted to 3rd overall in the East; two points behind and with a game in hand over Orlando (who won themselves last night). Next up, Wednesday on the road against 12 points in 15 matches Chicago.

 

5 Notes

 

1) New York is 3-0-1 at their true home at Yankee Stadium; outscoring their opponents by a 15-2 margin. At “home” at Red Bull Arena they are 3-2; only scoring 7 while giving up 6. A marked difference.

 

2) Thiago has two yellow cards on the season; both times for pulling his shirt off after scoring and drawing an Excessive Celebration. Excitement is acceptable but you have to be smart about it,

 

3) With this win NYCFC now sits at the best goal differential in the full of MLS at +14. Seattle sits at second at +13. Additionally NY is tied with New England for most goals on the season with 30.

 

4) Taty Castellanos is the only player on NY to have started all 15 matches this season.

 

5) NY closes out the month dropping the first two followed by winning the last three As mentioned they are in the Windy City against Chicago. The Fire FC fare better at home than on the road; going 3-4-3 at home and 0-5-0 on the road.