Five Points: Equipazo¡
September 21, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release
New York City Football Club secured a vital win against Orlando City SC on Wednesday.
Goals from Mounsef Bakrar and Talles Magno handed NYCFC a 2-0 win.
Here are Five Points from the game...
!Equipazo¡
One of the central takeaways from Wednesday's result was the show of unity among the players - both those that started and those that entered the game.
Regardless of the team's struggles this season the group has stayed together and always tried to be better than they were the day before.
From back to front the group was harmonious and worked together to earn an important result against a difficult opponent.
Parabéns Talles
When Talles Magno smiles, New York smiles.
The Brazilian forward entered the game unexpectedly on Wednesday night after an injury to teammate Richy Ledezma forced him off the field.
Taking just nine minutes to register on the scoresheet, it was clear from his celebration what it meant to score. His towering header left Pedro Gallese no chance in the Orlando goal, and, as Nick Cushing said afterwards, settled the game down en-route to NYCFC claiming a huge three points.
The former Vasco da Gama player has bundles of ability and quality, and at his best, he is a difference maker in MLS. While all attackers can go through difficult spells in front of goal, they are defined by how they snap out of that form and Talles did it in emphatic fashion against Orlando.
Clean Sheets
The last time Orlando City failed to score was July 8.
That run of nine games came to a screeching halt against NYCFC on Wednesday, thanks to some strong defending. Orlando are no strangers to scoring goals, but NYCFC reduced them to just two shots on target during the course of the 90 minutes.
As well as helping the team earn three points, it also confirmed a third clean sheet in four games. Developing a habit of clean sheets is a cornerstone of success in soccer, and if the team can maintain that defensive strength they will significantly boost their chances of reaching the playoffs.
Poacher
Mounsef Bakrar wears the number nine shirt for a reason.
Not only does it signify that he wants to bring goals to the team, but it also means he's willing to shoulder the responsibility and pressure associated with being the team's central goal-getter.
Against Orlando, it was the instincts of a striker that earned him his third goal in MLS. The forward not only won the race to follow up Santiago Rodríguez's penalty attempt but also held off the attention of an opponent to calmly head the ball into the net and give NYCFC the lead.
A vital goal at an important time, Bakrar delivered when it mattered most to NYCFC.
Momentum
The condensed MLS schedule means that NYCFC could conceivably finish the week in the playoff spots after taking seven points from a possible nine.
The team is now unbeaten in four games, and as is often the case in MLS, it is all about making sure you are above the line at the right time.
Nick Cushing and his players are taking nothing for granted after Wednesday's victory against Orlando City, but they will take confidence and inspiration from the result, as they look to repeat it against Toronto on Saturday.
Sign-up for MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app - and never miss a moment of the 2023 season. Stream every regular-season, playoff, and Leagues Cup match. Every Screen. No Blackouts.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 21, 2023
- LA Galaxy Forward Billy Sharp Voted MLS Player of the Matchday Presented by Continental Tire for Matchday 33 - LA Galaxy
- LA Galaxy Forward Billy Sharp Voted MLS Player of the Matchday Presented by Continental Tire for Matchday 33 - MLS
- Six Finals Remain: Ingredients of the Match - Charlotte FC
- NSC Announces Head Coaches for Inaugural Pup Cup Presented by Mars Petcare and PEDIGREE(R) Brand - Nashville SC
- Ben Olsen and Two Dynamo Players Named to MLSSoccer.com's Team of the Matchday - Houston Dynamo FC
- Álvaro Barreal Named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 33 - FC Cincinnati
- Taylor and Farías Named to MLS Team of the Matchday - Inter Miami CF
- Jesús Ferriera Named to MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Matchday Following Road Win at Real Salt Lake - FC Dallas
- Five Points: Equipazo¡ - New York City FC
- New England Revolution Academy Highlights: September 21, 2023 - New England Revolution
- Moments of Matchday 33 - MLS
- Cole Bassett Scores in Second Consecutive Game, Rapids Fall to Sounders 2-1 - Colorado Rapids
- Earthquakes Edged by Timbers, 2-1 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Timbers Down San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 at Providence Park - Portland Timbers
- Minnesota United Drop Points Away to LA Galaxy - Minnesota United FC
- Sounders FC Earns Three Road Points with 2-1 Win at Colorado - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Dallas Rallies to Defeat Real Salt Lake 3-1 - FC Dallas
- Real Salt Lake Drops 3-1 Decision to FC Dallas - Real Salt Lake
- St. Louis CITY SC Draws 0-0 with LAFC at CITYPARK - St. Louis City SC
- Houston Dynamo FC Continue Unbeaten Streak with 4-1 Victory Over Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Houston Dynamo FC
- LA Galaxy Earn 4-3 Come-From-Behind Win Over Minnesota United FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday Night - LA Galaxy
- Nashville SC Secures Important 3-0 Victory at Sporting KC in First of Two Road Matches - Nashville SC
- LAFC Earn Point on the Road with 0-0 Tie in St. Louis - Los Angeles FC
- Sporting KC Falls to Nashville SC - Sporting Kansas City
- Inter Miami CF Claims 4-0 Home Win Over Toronto FC - Inter Miami CF
- FC Cincinnati Take 1-1 Draw at CF Montréal with Acosta's Stoppage-Time Penalty - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
