NYCFC earned its second draw of the season with a hard-fought, defensively stable, 0-0 result against the Columbus Crew.
The Boys in Blue have now managed a respectable record of two wins, two draws, and one loss through five games played this season. However, the match against the Crew could have ended differently had it not been for the team’s collective defensive efforts.
The game opened up with both sides attacking on the front foot, trading chances early, specifically with Mounsef Bakrar’s solo effort in the seventh minute.
However, attacking momentum shifted after Keaton Parks went down with an injury in the 33rd minute, forcing Homegrown midfielder Johhny Shore to take his place.
Columbus subsequently took control from there, dominating possession 55% to 45%, keeping NYCFC pinned in its own half with ease.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Columbus peppering Matt Freese’s goal with a whopping 14 shots, pushing him into making multiple saves. The Crew thought they had a winner in the 84th minute through Jacen Russell-Rowe, but it was overturned for offside.
Despite the relentless pressure, NYCFC held firm to secure another point on the road.
“We knew it was a tough game away,” Jansen said after the match.
“I thought we were okay during the first 15 to 20 minutes, then our level on the ball dropped too far down in order to [achieve attacking momentum.] They had a few shots on target, but then we could rely on Matt Freese today, so overall I’m not unsatisfied, but we wanted more from this game.”
Freese, alongside his backline that consisted of Kevin O’Toole, Birk Risa, Thiago Martins, and Mitja Ilenic, was crucial in NYCFC withstanding Columbus’ offensive blitzkrieg. As 2023 MLS Cup champions, the Crew have one of the best offenses in the league, and their attacking onslaught showed just how deadly they can be.
The match almost ended in the hosts’ favor, with the Crew outshooting NYCFC 23 to 5. Due to Freese’s high-quality performance, the Boys in Blue escaped with a point.
“It says a lot about the quality that [Matt Freese] brings to the team,” Jansen stated.
“There will be games within a season where you need to have a good goalie in there, where you have to rely on good saves and this was one of those matches where he kept a clean sheet. He did an outstanding job in a couple of saves.”
Freese finished the game with five saves and seven recoveries, earning himself the Man of the Match award.
Defensively, while NYCFC had one of its best games in a while, the attack was less than stellar.
Early last week, forward Alonso Martinez was called up to the Costa Rican National team for CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying. The announcement was a joyous moment for Martinez, but it left the roster without its starting striker when they took on the Crew.
Martinez’s absence was noticeable, with the team failing to get a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. Though Bakrar and his eventual substitute, Seymour Reid, did an admirable job against the Crew’s backline, for a team as ambitious as NYCFC, that particular statistic is difficult to rationalize.
“We didn’t really realize how much it was possible [to go forward in attack and get] in the final third and [go] for that opportunity on goal,” Jansen said when asked about the attack.
“Unfortunately, our forwards today didn’t have the quality in those phases in order to create something more than we did today.”
As the team prepares for its clash against Atlanta United on March 29th, Jansen will aim to build on this defensive performance. Although offensively, there is still work to be done, Martinez’s return will undoubtedly help the Pigeons climb the Eastern Conference table.
