MLS - March 14 - Colorado (YS)

[Shwafta]

Colorado was good. They pressed, played physical, they were tough. And we beat them 3-1. Had O'Toole checked his six just before the half and spied Yapi in time, we might have posted a clean sheet. That's a pretty good performance.

For the first 20 mins or so colorado was .. really bad.
Then they adjusted and brought it back a bit

 

[KevinJRogers]

For the first 20 mins or so colorado was .. really bad.
Then they adjusted and brought it back a bit

It was pretty frantic all around. High intensity. But we dealt with it while sticking to our tactical plan. That's the mark of a disciplined squad who knows their business.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Really fun game. Second home game of the season on a chilly March night, felt like Diehards Night at the ballpark.

Nico is just terrific. So, so good on the ball and an absolute killer in front of goal.

Thrilled for Magno to get his first goal back. Got a great hand from the crowd on his goal, and well-deserved.

Thought Ojeda had a good shift, and Parks got the absolute hell beat out of him tonight. Good management by Pascal to get him out of there as early as he did.

I said before the season I thought this could be one of the best teams in MLS if we sign a striker; we might already be there. Sure we haven't really faced great opposition yet but we are damn good now and have the potential to be even better if we get that striker. Nico has completely turned around our attack and we've been one of the best teams in the league since he arrived last July.

And those secondary jerseys really pop in person with the full-kit color scheme. Very well executed by the Club.

 

[Kenny]

Can't help but feel that this was a sneakily huge win. I was concerned this was a trap game, between the Orlando beat down and Miami next week. Jansen and his bulletproof mentality starting to take hold? So proud of these guys.

Next week is obviously a massive mentality test.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Can't help but feel that this was a sneakily huge win. I was concerned this was a trap game, between the Orlando beat down and Miami next week. Jansen and his bulletproof mentality starting to take hold? So proud of these guys.

Next week is obviously a massive mentality test.

I was a little worried about that too. Let-down after the home opener was definitely a worry. Pascal has this team dialed in. What an impressive coach.

Speaking of impressive, I thought the rookie ref had himself a strong game. Handled the physicality in the game well and there were no controversies.

 

[Matchday Logbot]

Spoiler: matchday log

Mar 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM - LionNYC: Matchday 4. Lets win again!
Mar 14, 2026 at 6:35 PM - Gene:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2032946663359127860

Mar 14, 2026 at 7:34 PM - KevinJRogers: Ian Paul Joy on the mic. Very cool.
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:34 PM - Revfugee: I done wore out my seat
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:42 PM - Gene: WTF is going on?
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:43 PM - KevinJRogers: I think the comms for one of the officials is on the fritz
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:43 PM - canchon: I see 11 players, a ref and two linesmen. WTF haven’t we started?
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:44 PM - BxLio91: Oh no. That fucking ref is the fucking worst
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:44 PM - KevinJRogers: Fourth official, so maybe it's the VAR connection?
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:44 PM - RunningWise: Came here hoping for an answer as I freeze in my seat.
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:44 PM - canchon: It’s cold and we don’t have time for this.
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:44 PM - BxLio91: The 4th ref I mean
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM - canchon: The fourth ref? Come on.
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:46 PM - Gene: GAME ON!!!
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:52 PM - BxLio91: I miss the TMac days where he'd try shooting from outside the box
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:53 PM - KevinJRogers: Gotta take some rips from outside and keep 'em honest
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:55 PM - KevinJRogers: Nice effort, Nico
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:55 PM - Gene: Nice shot!
Mar 14, 2026 at 7:58 PM - Marito: Kevin is having some trouble with Yapi's physicality
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:05 PM - ezbeezy214: They are much better than Orlando.
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:05 PM - Gene: The guy grabbed him. open your eyes mr announcer.
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:05 PM - ezbeezy214: Yea that’s a yellow. Defeats the whole purpose of the setup
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:07 PM - KevinJRogers: NICO!!!
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:07 PM - ALBNYfan: LFG!!!!
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:07 PM - BxLio91: Goooooooooooooooooooolllllllll
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:09 PM - KevinJRogers: How good has Trewin been. Got a good one there
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:10 PM - ezbeezy214:

How good has Trewin been. Got a good one there

was he the one that deflected the ball up?
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:10 PM - KevinJRogers: Yep, he started that
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:11 PM - ezbeezy214: So that’s a stand out play in 2 different scenarios. retreating, on Aaronson early cross, and one pushing up. Really good stuff.
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:14 PM - BC19: This Colorado team is pretty good
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:15 PM - KevinJRogers: Yeah, we're in a dogfight tonight
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:16 PM - Marito: Ojeda did well there but there was nobody to meet the cross
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:16 PM - ezbeezy214: We are pretty comfortable sitting tight though
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:17 PM - Gene: Bull shit yellow
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:18 PM - ALBNYfan: if that was a yellow then the there should have been a yellow for the foul Freese suffered.
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM - BxLio91: Another one!
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM - KevinJRogers: WOO HOO!
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM - ALBNYfan: ggoooallll!!! NICO!
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM - ezbeezy214: Hell yeah
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:32 PM - mgarbowski: After it went in goal the ball caromed out and reverse nutmegged the keeper
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:32 PM - ezbeezy214: How did that go in exactly?
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:33 PM - KevinJRogers: Great ball in from Tayvon
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:34 PM - Gene: Now we know why Martins isn't a number 9.
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:35 PM - ALBNYfan: oops
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:36 PM - BxLio91: Goddam it
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:36 PM - Marito: Yapi was in acres of space
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:36 PM - ezbeezy214: Super poor goal to give up. Turnover in midfield was so messy and right after Martins miss.
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:37 PM - KevinJRogers: O'Toole didn't look over his shoulder, too
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:37 PM - KevinJRogers: This is good, though. We needed a good, old fashioned brawl
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:37 PM - ezbeezy214: Yapi Hour was a good call though
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:37 PM - BC19: Horrific defending from O’Toole on that goal
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:39 PM - Kenny: Lots of Tottenham fans were very upset when Matt Wells jumped ship and came to MLS. He would be their head coach now if he’d stayed
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:43 PM - KevinJRogers:

Lots of Tottenham fans were very upset when Matt Wells jumped ship and came to MLS. He would be their head coach now if he’d stayed

They need the help. YIKES
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:50 PM - Kenny: It’s a nightmare
Mar 14, 2026 at 8:56 PM - Kenny: Nico has been offside several times
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:02 PM - KevinJRogers: Here we go. The chess pieces are moving
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:09 PM - BxLio91: No sympathy from Maxi lmao
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:09 PM - KevinJRogers:

No sympathy from Maxi lmao

Very funny moment LOL
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:10 PM - KevinJRogers: Talles Magno for Keaton? Intriguing. Wasn't expecting that
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:10 PM - ezbeezy214: Aggressive change
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:10 PM - Gene: Magno brace coming up!
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:12 PM - ALBNYfan:
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:21 PM - BxLio91: Why does Wolf pass it to the fucking goalie 97% of the fucking time?
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:21 PM - KevinJRogers: Definitely needs some pace on a shot like that
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:22 PM - BxLio91: Martins scores, we're a lot more relaxed this half.
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:24 PM - Marito: We're bunkering in a unPascal kind of way
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:25 PM - KevinJRogers: Just a beat too late there from Maxi
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:28 PM - Kenny: Wolf had Nico wide open there
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:28 PM - ezbeezy214: Pass that sir
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:30 PM - Gene: TY Gustavo.
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:30 PM - canchon: For the love of god put in Reid for Maxi to help relieve pressure
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:30 PM - ALBNYfan: good block
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:32 PM - Gene: MAGNO!
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:32 PM - BxLio91: YEAAAAAAAA
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:32 PM - KevinJRogers: HEY LOOK AT OUR NEW STRIKER
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:32 PM - ezbeezy214: TALLES MAGNO IS BACK
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:32 PM - canchon: Eating crow as that was a great ball from Maxi
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:33 PM - BC19: Like a new signing
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:33 PM - BxLio91: Looks like it's a dub for the DP 9
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:33 PM - ezbeezy214: he got the ball in the air a little bit
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:33 PM - BxLio91: We're never getting one
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:35 PM - BxLio91: Shoresy!
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:39 PM - ezbeezy214: We haven’t been great tonight. We were a little messier with the ball and Wingers weren’t as dynamic, yet there was only moment that Gustavo blocked that scared me.
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:40 PM - BxLio91: Have we used all the subs?
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:41 PM - KevinJRogers: What a game. We needed a good fight like that
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:42 PM - Revfugee: Pascal is magic
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:43 PM - ALBNYfan: nice win!
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:44 PM - ALBNYfan: we learned we can actually score and win 11v11!
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:46 PM - ezbeezy214: Having a laugh,
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:47 PM - BxLio91: The upsetting thing is how scary this team could be if we maximized our DP and U22 spots
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:49 PM - ezbeezy214:

Having a laugh,

taking a piss, top of the league with Big Matt Freese
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:56 PM - Revfugee:

The upsetting thing is how scary this team could be if we maximized our DP and U22 spots

There is no upsetting thing.
Mar 14, 2026 at 9:57 PM - Revfugee: I’ll be upset when we lose
Mar 14, 2026 at 10:02 PM - KevinJRogers: MLS 360 crew is doing "ding dong." They're a few years late and talking about the wrong team
Mar 14, 2026 at 10:15 PM - CCMore: I love winning.

 

[Revfugee]

Trewin tonight made me forget Justin entirely.

 

[Shwafta]

We should try to win against Miami next week

However even if we don't, unless they win by like 4 goals we should stay ahead of them.

I know we had red cards in the first three games, but I'm pleasantly surprised with how we've been doing so far this season.

 

[mgarbowski]

We should try to win against Miami next week

I have no idea what this GIF is from but I like how it happens to have lettering in sparkly Miami teal and pink.

 

[mgarbowski]

Even apart from the goal Talles looked pretty comfortable in the middle. I'm very pleased he scored and it's clear he still has lots of love within the team.

In college I took an intro astronomy course with Robert Jastrow, once a celebrity figure like Sagan or de Grasse Tyson but on a somewhat lower level and I don't think most people today have heard of him. We called the course "Astro with Jastrow." Anyway, I remember he said it's impossible to calculate the odds on the creation of life because we only know of one instance when it happened. If we ever find a second we can start doing math. I also remember myself thinking that even with a second example we can't really do the math because we won't know what the denominator is. For most stars and planets if we don't perceive life we don't know if the timing is off, or if there is life but it's basically a clump of lichen we can't perceive from here, or if there is no life. Yes I have a NYCFC point: Ojeda and Talles have each scored once. I'm glad and it's better than not scoring at all but I don't really know what to make of that yet.

Ojeda had another strong game doing many good things but I wish he had a bigger toolbox for when he is sprung by a nice pass from Maxi or Nico. He's so fast he gets ahead of almost everyone on both teams but there usually is one defender scrambling back with him. And every time it happened, and it happened a fair bit, the defender was on the inside and Ojeda took the easy route to the goal line to the right of goal and looked to serve up a cross instead of challenging the defender angled to his left. It basically snuffed out multiple fast break opportunities.

But I've now seen enough of Nico to say I think ZYanksRule is right: he's the real deal and makes the whole team better. I even think he's a fully functional Martinez gap filler to the point where we might not need another striker if we are confident Martinez wil be back and fully functional later this year. But then we need new wingers even more. After Talles came on for Parks our front line available subs were a pair of kids Pascal isn't ready to play yet. Coach needs more options and one injury to an attacking player would be catastrophic.

Maxi has 3 assists in 4 games and while "at this pace" projections require a salt mine especially this early that's a very good start (and he would set a new personal MLS assist record if he keeps it up, which he won't, I think, but this is still good).

The H/A adjusted ppg of our opponents to date is just 0.33 which again has no real salience but it's laughably low. A slightly less meaningless number is that the H/A PPG of our future opponents is just 1.15. I didn't think it was possible for both numbers to be so low but I guess it is because there are just 8 teams besides us with PPG of 2.0 or higher. 7 of those are in the West and even though we play 3 of them that still leaves just 5 games total against teams that good. Of course that's as of now and that will change.

Colorado's Headwaters Jersey is clearly different from our home blue but close enough that in the heat of the game I had 4-5 moments where I confused myself who I was rooting for.

Why was it so damn cold?

 

[Shwafta]

I have no idea what this GIF is from but I like how it happens to have lettering in sparkly Miami teal and pink.

Thank you for noticing I worded it like that on purpose to just sound stupid

 

[BC19]

Magno was much better as a striker last night. The rest of this team is so good that the striker doesn’t need to be a world beater. They need to be positionally aware, able to press and make runs in behind.

If Talles can do those things he will suffice. When he left the club he was not able to really any of them.

 

[mgarbowski]

When Nico scores the first name||last name call response just fails because we have not collectively decided whether to say Fernandez or Fernandez Mercau and so it just sounds like 20k people mumbling.

 

[mgarbowski]

The official stats for the game currently shows only 989 combined minutes for NYCFC because they credit Ojeda with 76 and Gustavo with 13. I don't think I've ever seen that before and I assume one will be adjusted.

 

[gbservis]

Magno was much better as a striker last night. The rest of this team is so good that the striker doesn’t need to be a world beater. They need to be positionally aware, able to press and make runs in behind.

If Talles can do those things he will suffice. When he left the club he was not able to really any of them.

Magno staying in the middle and running the channels was a sight to behold. He even got hand checked by a defender at one point and got physical right back with him.

 

[GratefulDawg]

I have no idea what this GIF is from but I like how it happens to have lettering in sparkly Miami teal and pink.

 

[FootyLovin]

I remember he said it's impossible to calculate the odds on the creation of life because we only know of one instance when it happened. If we ever find a second we can start doing math.

My brother and I both launched startups around the same time in the early 2000s. When talking about sales he used to say 1 is a fluke; 2 a coincidence. But if you can find 3 buyers then that means there are almost certainly an excess of buyers out there. You just need to learn how to find them.

I'm comfortable with that analysis for Ojeda and Magno. Let's see them each score 2 more times. At that point we will know their potential is there for the good. At that point the team just needs to learn how to exploit them.

 

[Shwafta]

When Nico scores the first name||last name call response just fails because we have not collectively decided whether to say Fernandez or Fernandez Mercau and so it just sounds like 20k people mumbling.

I had the same observation!

I think we should just yell "Nico" like when we used to yell "Heber"

 

[mgarbowski]

I had the same observation!

I think we should just yell "Nico" like when we used to yell "Heber"

We need to get the stadium announcer on board. Otherwise it's "That New York City goal was scored by Nico. . . . . . .NICO!"

 

[Shwafta]

We need to get the stadium announcer on board. Otherwise it's "That New York City goal was scored by Nico. . . . . . .NICO!"

Yeah, quick everyone tweet at him or something idk