Houston Postmatch

I love RJ Allen, but that really didn't work. Shout out to PV for trying that crazy shit against Houston and not in the playoffs and for scoring off a practice pitch corner piece for the second week in a row -- even if it was a broken play it led to a Villa shot inside the 6.

At least one YS playoff game!!
Doing it does make future opponents have to consider we'll do it again and at least spend some time figuring out how to defend it.
 
Some stats person needs to look this up...

Does Villa lead the league (possibly in its history) of a player with the most amount of braces without a hat trick?
Stream said he's had six multi goal games this year. Highly doubt anyone has more than that.
 
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I'm very happy for those of you that live in the Northeast who now know you'll be seeing a home playoff game. Exciting stuff!

With that said, I usually cringe watching our style of play trying to fit into the Yankee Stadium pinball pitch.

I feel like we could win it all or get bounced early.
 
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50 minutes of garbage soccer followed by a Villa goal through four defenders which 'megs the keeper. Then 41 minutes of marginally better soccer and a counterattack with an emphatic Villa goal. 3 points.

I don't want to be negative when we win, but we looked like a team that was basically coasting now that we're guaranteed playoffs. Ugh.
 
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That was a professional road win there, NYCFC controlled the pace of play (slow and methodical, but that is how NYCFC wants to play).

Houston had 0 shots on goal all night (credit some of that to awful finishing but mostly to good team defense). NYCFC scored on a set piece then managed the game, brought in Bravo to lock it down and Taylor for fresh legs, which contributed to Villa's second goal. At the end of the game NYCFC had so many numbers in front of their own goal defending, it was excellent tactics to see the game out. Having 2 CBs, Iraola and Bravo is huge to defend the middle of the pitch at the end of the game. Force everything wide and clean it up.

This is the type of road game that an excellent team wins, not exciting, but efficient. Considering how most other teams have gone into BBVA this year and been shut down, this is a massive result.

Side note: NYCFC is now the only team in MLS with a winning record at home and on the road.
 
Cut inside instead of overlapping. pep does this a bunch to control the middle of the pitch. i think this helped us on defense but like Midas Mulligan Midas Mulligan said on offense rj allen is no lahm or alaba.
And it looks like PV tried to minimize Mena's touches on the ball when RJ came in, as the CBs split wide and then Iraola dropped back almost as a third CB between them.

Agree that with RJ, this really didn't work all that but I do also like that PV gave it a shot. Khiry has the wheels to track all the way back on D to cover the flank.
 
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My four year old and I were just walking to soccer practice in the city, of course decked out in our NYCFC gear, and on the way we ran into a mother with her two little kids, also decked out in gear. The three little kids (who have never met before) spent the next ten minutes discussing last night's game. They particularly liked my son's rendition of "no no no that's not a goal, it's a gooooolllllaaaaazzzzzzooooo". Very cool already seeing a young generation loving this like we do.
 
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My four year old and I were just walking to soccer practice in the city, of course decked in our gear, and on the way we ran into a mother with her two little kids, also decked out in gear. The three little kids (who have never met before) spent the next ten minutes discussing last night's game. They particularly liked my son's rendition of "no no no that's not a goal, it's a gooooolllllaaaaazzzzzzooooo". Very cool already seeing a young generation loving this like we do.
I think we could totally play 3/5 in the back with Shelton and Mata as wingbacks
 
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My four year old and I were just walking to soccer practice in the city, of course decked out in our gear, and on the way we ran into a mother with her two little kids, also decked out in gear. The three little kids (who have never met before) spent the next ten minutes discussing last night's game. They particularly liked my son's rendition of "no no no that's not a goal, it's a gooooolllllaaaaazzzzzzooooo". Very cool already seeing a young generation loving this like we do.
I just had the exact same discussion with someone at the local bagel shop that was rocking a NYCFC hat.

Kinda kidding, but its great running into strangers the day after a nice win and discussing the game
 
My four year old and I were just walking to soccer practice in the city, of course decked out in our gear, and on the way we ran into a mother with her two little kids, also decked out in gear. The three little kids (who have never met before) spent the next ten minutes discussing last night's game. They particularly liked my son's rendition of "no no no that's not a goal, it's a gooooolllllaaaaazzzzzzooooo". Very cool already seeing a young generation loving this like we do.
The important question is if they are playing 5 a side on a very small pitch. Tight spaces, control, quick ball movement. #nomorekhirysheltons
 
This seems awfully harsh, his decision making is notably improved since earlier in the year and he had several good passes into the box last night. Not to mention the three assists last game.


It is harsh. Said for effect. He has raw natural ability. He should be running the 400Ms

I don't like Klinsi, but he's correctly stated that American players who don't have technical ability by their early 20s will never have it.