MLS - March 15 - New England (YS)

FootyLovin · Mar 15, 2025

GratefulDawg said:
Two academy guys and a late Super Draft pick in the starting lineup. Yay, I think?

At some point I feel like we have to stop thinking of homegrowns in that way. Haak is experienced enough for that to be a solid “yay”. Shore and Cavallo still TBD. Though I think we would all give the “yay” to Shore performing as he did in his starter debut.

canchon · Mar 15, 2025

Polster is still around too - he famously whined about the angles in Yankee Stadium and that it was disorienting.

GratefulDawg · Mar 15, 2025

234 brought the heat tonight. Singing throughout. Getting on the Supporters Section for being a library.

Revfugee · Mar 15, 2025

FootyLovin said:
At some point I feel like we have to stop thinking of homegrowns in that way. Haak is experienced enough for that to be a solid “yay”. Shore and Cavallo still TBD. Though I think we would all give the “yay” to Shore performing as he did in his starter debut.

This was exactly my thought especially in the first 20. Not just homegrowns but draftees. Cavallo was excellent until he went down. Haak has turned into a rock and Jonny is probably the most instantaneously impactful player in academy history. Risa was a step down from Nico. Pretty clear through this small handful of matches that Pascal knows how to instill confidence in the kids (I think Joe alluded in the pregame rap to Pascal saying draft position be dammed, if you can play you can play. )

Even if we hadn’t gotten all three points tonight, the team was so much more fun to watch than in the Cushing era. Especially through the first 20.

Our roster is still precariously shallow, and we are way too dependent on Maxi. But this was a genuinely fun match to watch, even with a shit ref job and a howler from our captain. It was fun chanting “you can’t score!” to the Revs.

And as if I need to say it. Beating the Revs (denying Kraft a happy ending) is always extra special for me.

Other notes: my excelsior anniversary top is undefeated. As is “my perspective switch” trick ( across three seasons now).

Only sour note: picked up my founding member package. So much empty.

And if not just Shore but also Mitja keep this up, they will be headed to Europe before long. Maybe Haak too.

ZYanksRule · Mar 15, 2025

It was officially Women's Empowerment Night, but in reality it was Diehards Night.

Only the diehards go to the 2nd home game of the season in 45 degree temperatures with mist. I don't know how many people were there, but it was loud even if it was only 15,000 fans in the stands.

Really fun game to watch. Loved Mitja's defensive growth. Risa I thought was good after coming on for Cavallo. Martins had the howler but was otherwise solid. Shore is so smooth in midfield. Maxi is a joy to watch. Alonso's goal was gorgeous. Parks was all over the damn place.

Wasn't the best performance, but I'll never complain about three points, and seven points from the first four games is a really nice start.

On the other end, it's going to be a long year up in New England. They stink.

KevinJRogers · Mar 15, 2025

Revfugee said:
This was exactly my thought especially in the first 20. Not just homegrowns but draftees. Cavallo was excellent until he went down. Haak has turned into a rock and Jonny is probably the most instantaneously impactful player in academy history. Risa was a step down from Nico. Pretty clear through this small handful of matches that Pascal knows how to instill confidence in the kids (I think Joe alluded in the pregame rap to Pascal saying draft position be dammed, if you can play you can play. )

Even if we hadn’t gotten all three points tonight, the team was so much more fun to watch than in the Cushing era. Especially through the first 20.

Our roster is still precariously shallow, and we are way too dependent on Maxi. But this was a genuinely fun match to watch, even with a shit ref job and a howler from our captain. It was fun chanting “you can’t score!” to the Revs.

And as if I need to say it. Beating the Revs (denying Kraft a happy ending) is always extra special for me.

Other notes: my excelsior anniversary top is undefeated. As is “my perspective switch” trick ( across three seasons now).

Only sour note: picked up my founding member package. So much empty.

And if not just Shore but also Mitja keep this up, they will be headed to Europe before long. Maybe Haak too.

Mitja gets my vote for Most Improved Player, although Keaton's return to form is so dramatic he might qualify, too. He's having a blast out there.

I like where we are. We still have some obvious holes to fill, of course, especially a DP No. 10. But I really, really like where we are.

ZYanksRule · Mar 15, 2025

Also really impressed with getting results from losing/tied positions. That's something we didn't do too frequently under Cushing. Much better mentality and belief within this group.

Revfugee · Mar 15, 2025

GratefulDawg said:
234 brought the heat tonight. Singing throughout. Getting on the Supporters Section for being a library.

What was the goal kick chant. They were really bringing it but I couldn't discern the actual words other than “you sick bastard.”

KevinJRogers · Mar 15, 2025

ZYanksRule said:
Also really impressed with getting results from losing/tied positions. That's something we didn't do too frequently under Cushing. Much better mentality and belief within this group.

What happens between the ears determines what happens between the lines.

“A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n.”
― John Milton, Paradise Lost

GratefulDawg · Mar 15, 2025

Revfugee said:
What was the goal kick chant. They were really bringing it but I couldn't discern the actual words other than “you sick bastard.”

YOU SHIT BASTARD! AAAAHHH! AAAAHHH! AAAAHHH!

Disrespectful to those born to non-married parents, but better than the cheer that rhymes with the former ninth planet.

KevinJRogers · Mar 15, 2025

GameFlow chart.

https://bsky.app/profile/gameflow.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3lkhnttzjr62v

GratefulDawg · Mar 15, 2025

Max Bretos just said that Columbus will be hosting Alonzo Martínez and NYCFC next weekend. Nice to see Alonzo get some props on an Apple TV broadcast.

LionNYC · Mar 15, 2025

- Back to back 2-1 wins.
- Back to back in the final 5-6 minutes of the game a player makes a professional, yellow card foul when the opponent is attacking on the fast break (lesson learned from Miami).
- The in stadium producer/camera that zoomed in on the two New England fans celebrating after the own goal near the goal was a questionable choice for a couple seconds.
- Questionable refereeing that the sole New England yellow card only came in second half added time. The early missed corner kick right next to AR1 was ridiculous.
- Are we the thinnest team in MLS? Seriously, we have players doing utility work when one goes down. Carrizo may have to come into the game to play backup left back.
- Julian taking that shot first time on his right foot. It was the only way that play would have worked. Glad he relied on his weak foot. Every player needs both feet.
- Fourth game in a row that Pascal has worn the tracksuit on the bench. Curious during the summer months what he goes for on the sideline.

moogoo · Mar 15, 2025

Didn't catch the game, but based on comments here and the highlights we played a decent game and were at least fun to watch.

Watched jansen's post game presser and i really enjoy how he speaks. I feel like whenever cushing talked after games, he just didn't seem genuine and tried to fall back on togetherness or "we created many opportunities". Jansen simply demands better. His mentality is crystal clear and it is reflected in how the players seem to be playing. He's demanding better from everyone and isn't making excuses about the roster. It sounds like anyone can get their chance if they show they deserve it and if you want to play, you just have to show you deserve the chance in training and then take advantage when you get the call.

This type of mentality will go a long way with young guys and it definitely seems to be instant fuel for at least a handful of them. Keaton seems like he's finding his old self. Shore is becoming a veteran before our eyes. Personally, Fernandez has been a shocker. If I had to pick someone to break out this year, it was going to be ojeda. But here is fernandez putting in some good performances and scoring with his RIGHT foot after an assist last game with his RIGHT foot. This is definitely the result of his hard work to build enough confidence to use his right and I couldn't be more proud to be proved wrong. I hope he continues his upward trajectory.

canchon · Mar 15, 2025

Revfugee said:
Only sour note: picked up my founding member package. So much empty.

There wasn’t even a bag to put the items in, so I carried around a few scarves and the founding member “box” for the whole game. I know expectations are low but wow, this has fallen off the wagon.

moogoo · Mar 16, 2025

random note: i enjoy the orange detail on the back of the calf of the home kit socks.

Revfugee · Mar 16, 2025

canchon said:
There wasn’t even a bag to put the items in, so I carried around a few scarves and the founding member “box” for the whole game. I know expectations are low but wow, this has fallen off the wagon.

I tossed the box and kept the soft innards in my pocket.

mgarbowski · Mar 16, 2025

I had my member gift shipped and by chance it was delivered during the game so it was there when I got home.
I agree that overall it’s less than whelming, but this might be the nicest scarf they’ve given us and the 20 year pigeon pin is outstanding.

mgarbowski · Mar 16, 2025

I'll be the guy who says that 2023 NYCFC also started with 1 point in a pair of Away games before winning 2 at Home. But I'll also say this team should not have a similar fall off, though just a few injuries can send it that direction. This team has a better 10, a real striker, and a much better goalkeeper. What it has in common with early 2023 is zero depth.

is Alonso's goal a top 5 NYCFC goal?

All of Fernandez's goals have come in transition with the defenders on their back heel.