Thiago Strikes Again, NYCFC Pulls Victory From Defeat

Photo courtesy of frontrowsoccer.com

 

Article by Scott Churchson IG: @schurchson

Columnist and Host Spanglish World Networks, Spanglish Sports World

 

New York. - A huge game winning goal during the added minutes by Thiago Andrade gave the Gents In Blue a late 2-1 win over DC United on Sunday at Red Bull Arena.

 

Most of this match, NYCFC was the better team, despite an early goal by DC's Nigel Roberta in the 9th minute. Taking a great over the top pass he fired a bullet over Goalie Sean Johnson’s right shoulder for his first goal of the year (respect). Overall however NY was a team with 64% possession and 7-4 in shots on target. But until the 84th minute, this was a team that was still down 1-0 until Keaton Parks took a header via a corner kick by Maxi Moralez for the equalizer. It was a brilliant bang bang play just across the far post that had every NY fan in attendance breath that much needed sigh of relief. Now onto the game winner:

 

So 8 days ago in my write-up about the Gents In Blue's 3-2 loss at home to New England I discussed the first game of one Thiago Andrade; a game where he scored a goal in his first 10 minutes in uniform and assisted on the other goal in their loss for overall an impressive first outing (despite a yellow card after that goal for excessive celebration). Tonight, that a game winner that will easily being on the team's highlight reel for years to come. 5 minutes into the added time after taking a rolling pass from Johnson in his own end Thaigo took the pass himself and marched three quarters of the way down the field including dodging Defender Donovan Pines with a beautiful of a switch to the left foot and a goal off the left post for the 2-1 win. This is an impressive start for the 20 year old after his Visa issues left him struggling to even join his new team for 6 straight weeks. Personally I don't expect his success to continue to continue forever as teams will learn to adapt but I still feel the young man will be able to perform well.
 

5 Notes:

1) In the 3 game homestand over 8 days they picked up 6 points. NYCFC currently sits in 4th place with 17 points and a game in hand on 3rd place Philadelphia.

 

2) This game snapped a 4 game goal streak for Izzy Tajouri-Shradi. He's currently tied for second in team goals along with Valentin Castellanos and 1 behind Jesus Medina.

3) Max Moralez's assist in the 90th minute gave him 3 on the season; tying him with Castellanos and Anton Tinnerholm most on the team.

4) The Gents In Blue have played 2 games at home at Yankee Stadium and 4 games at “home” at Red Bull Arena with 3 wins, 2 losses and a tie overall.

5) NYCFC has a short layoff before starting a two game roadtrip in Montreal on July 7. Montreal currently sits in 9th place with 13 points in 10 matches and due to Covid is still playing in Fort Lauderdale Florida.