MLS New York City FC

NYCFC Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals - Host Atlanta United on Sunday

Published on November 1, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


It was an instant repeat of Sunday's Decision Day showdown with Philadelphia for NYCFC in their first-ever Knockout Round game.

A comfortable 3-1 win over Jim Curtin's men sealed third place and home-field advantage for the Boys in Blue who were looking to advance in the postseason for the first time in club history.

Buoyed by Sunday's feel-good win, NYC set off in fine style and almost took the lead on 6' when Yangel Herrera forced Andre Blake into a scrambling save but the home fans wouldn't have to wait long to celebrate.

Tajouri-Shradi's name was the only new one on the teamsheet from the weekend, and he made his call-up count in sensational style with ten minutes on the clock.

Moralez curled the ball forward into space and Villa's acrobatic backheel gave Tajouri-Shradi the opportunity to let rip first-time on the volley - and that's just what he did - thrashing it into the top corner beyond Blake's despairing dive.

It was a stunning goal which set the tone for a dominant first period for the home side and Villa doubled the advantage on 26' when he fired in his fourth goal in four games, racing onto Moralez's through ball and beating Blake all ends up.

Two to the good going in at the break, Torrent's message would have been clear at the interval: Do not let this slip.

With half of the job done, NYCFC seemed to close ranks after the break and concentrate on game management, keeping their foot on the ball and working around a Philadelphia side clearly demoralized from their two concessions.

They did get through once and threatened to halve the advantage in the early minutes of the second period, with Sean Johnson being called into meaningful action for the first time to turn away a goalbound effort from ten yards out.

However, the contest was all wrapped up on 78' when Moralez crowned a Man of the Match performance with the clincher: A stunning chip over the onrushing Blake which landed satisfyingly just over the goalline.

As he did on Sunday, Cory Burke added the consolation to give us the same scoreline, but City's progress had been assured.

Bring on Atlanta.

NOTES

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi netted his 12th goal of the season

David Villa scored his 15th goal of 2018 and has scored in four consecutive games

NYCFC have now won their last three home games

QUOTES

NYCFC HEAD COACH DOMÈNEC TORRENT

On Maxi Moralez's performance...

"The performance tonight was amazing, Maxi was fantastic. Not only because he was able to score, the performance was very well. When we decided to play in between, they played fantastic. The last 20 minutes we decided to play with two strikers - David and Maxi and they played perfect as well."

On choosing the starting XI...

"I don't want to see anybody down on this team because we are a team. We can play in different ways. Jesus [Medina] has a good quality, but Ismael [Tajouri-Shradi] has another quality. When you are looking to play quickly, play behind them, maybe you decide it's better to play this player over another player. I have confidence in both, and in everybody, but when you play the knockout game in the playoffs, you have to decide...I am very happy with [other players], but I decided to play with Ismael because last game they defended high and we can take advantage when they decided to play high. I have 2-3 days to analyze [Atlanta] and after that we'll decide the best 11 to play the next game."

On Tajouri-Shradi's opening goal...

"It's important in the knockout games when you score a goal because we have two plans, if we scored a goal or if they scored a goal. The goal was fantastic, an amazing goal for Ismael to score but it's very important because everyone knows what happens when we score a goal - keeping calm, we have time and we have to take advantage and we have to play different when they do. In knockout games, the team that scores quickly has more possibilities to win the game."

On the supporters tonight...

"I want to thank our supporters because it's not easy to come on [Halloween]. I expect for the next game - everybody is here. We are more comfortable and we are stronger when they are here."

NYCFC MIDFIELDER ALEXANDER RING

Why is this an NYCFC team that can beat Atlanta over two legs...

"I think if you just look at the last two years, the games we've had against Atlanta have always been exciting. Two teams that want to play a very intense game and I'm looking forward to that. That's what playoffs are all about, you know? I wouldn't have it any other way. [At] some point you have to face them. I don't care when that is. As long as we win."

On it being a tough matchup...

"I wouldn't expect anything less. Playoffs or regular season. I think those games against Atlanta for both teams will be on the highlights because you have two very good teams. And this matchup is always intense. I always look forward to this and it's what you play for. It's what you go to preseason for. It's what I ran in Finland for when it was cold. So yeah, this is what I've been waiting for. The team that we've been working towards and looking forward to."

On momentum heading into Eastern Conference Semifinals...

"We have a good momentum. Atlanta hasn't played for a week now and I remember last year, when we didn't play the week, it was hard to get into the game in Columbus when they played before us. So maybe we can take advantage, maybe not. It's hard to say right now. We'll just have to see on Sunday."

NYCFC FORWARD DAVID VILLA

Talk about controlling two games in a row...

"I think obviously we are more focused right now and it's not a secret that in the last month of the regular season, we did pretty bad. We had lost many important players. But after that, we refocused and we believed in the players, which is really, really important. And we are happy. We are happy because of the way we played today. We got to play Maxi after the injury. We got to play Yangel after the injury. It looks like we're in a position where everyone is healthy."

On quick turnaround to play Atlanta on Sunday...

"They are an amazing team and they did very well during the regular season. But when we play them again, we'll be ready for them."

How important is a positive result on Sunday...

"Yeah, because in this round of the playoffs, it's important in the coaching first and it will result Sunday. We've struggled away. We know that it's a game of 180 minutes and that for our fans and for us, we have to make sure that we have a good game on Sunday."

NYCFC FORWARD ISMAEL TAJOURI-SHRADI

On his first playoff goal...

"Maxi had the ball then he lofted the ball and did a great pass, and I started running in the space. Villa did a little touch of the ball to me, he knew the runners were going towards him and it was a great combination. The first shot I tried to shoot, then I thought for the second shot I had to do it directly and it was a great goal."

On first MLS playoff game...

"Of course it was a very special game to me because it was a playoff game, and I am very, very happy about the win, and after I scored my first playoff goal. I'm very happy we got the win and I hope we continue this way."

Having the whole team back and healthy...

"Of course we are a good team, we can play one this game and another the next game, we have many good options. Every player gives their best, like me I give my best. We do it together and we get the important win and now we will continue to Sunday."

NYCFC DEFENDER ANTON TINNERHOLM

On facing Atlanta...

"It's been great games. They were the better team when we played them away but it was a 2-2 draw, and we were way better than them at home but it was still 1-1 so it's been intense and I think it's been fun to watch. Tonight we're going to enjoy and talk about this game and then tomorrow and Friday we'll take a look at Atlanta."

On the challenge and difficulties of playing three matches this week...

"We have a great staff who is taking care of us. Now is all about recovery and of course talking about small details about the opponent but now it's more about the recovery and the staff is very important in these kind of situations where it's tight with games."

On the importance of keeping the crowd energized...

"They are very important for us, they've been the whole season! I like these kind of games where it's win or lose, if you lose your out. I have some experience where we had to play the Champions League with Malmo and we really had the crowd behind us. I know how much it matters to play a 12th player on the pitch and I tried and I think the whole team tried to get them behind us. We show it in different ways but of course they are very important to us."

PHILADELPHIA UNION HEAD COACH JIM CURTIN

On the results of the game and season...

"Credit to New York City FC, they deserved to win tonight. Focusing on my group, I cannot be prouder of the season we had. A lot of young players showed a lot of growth and developed their game, like tonight. It was an experience that will only make them better, so as difficult as the end of the season is, and as hard as it is for our group, only one team is happy out of the 12. Only one team has a smile on their face and that's the one that lifts the MLS Cup. We aren't going to be that team. We came up short. We did a lot of great things this season, but in the big game against the team that is of the quality of NYCFC, we were a little naive and young and our transition defense and the quality of players punished us. That's the reality of things, but again, full credit to my players. I'm proud of the season they had sticking together. It doesn't end the way we wanted to and the way we hoped to, but again, I think the club has shown we have an identity of good, young American players and experienced veterans that could play with anyone in this league, home and away. We have a cohesive group and a group that isn't scared of anybody. It's a difficult scoreline tonight, and I know that perspective wise, it's going to look bad, but at the same time I see a lot of positives with the group and I'm proud of the season they had."

On the youth of the team...

"It's what we are as a club. It's sticking to the philosophy we believe in at the Philadelphia Union. Play young players, bring them through our academy, the only way they learn is on the field and the only way you learn as hard as it can be is against David Villa and [Maxi] Moralez. You have to learn from these experiences because they're top quality players. Again, tonight won't dictate everything about our group and everything about our season. Our two young centerbacks have done a great job. All the young players have stepped up, philosophically that's who we are as a club. We want to give young players a chance and the only way you do that is by putting them on the field and be in these big moments to go through the highs and go through the lows, but we're better because of it. If it costs you some games, we have to live with it because that's what we believe in."

On NYCFC as opponents...

"The kid, Herrera, he's a top player. Not just in our league, he's a top player. He can play in any league, anywhere. For a [20 year old] off of a 5, 6 month injury, to step into games and playing back-to-back, 90 minutes in two days, you can see how valuable he is to their group. Ring flies under the radar and Moralez, you put that three up any midfield in the league, and they're playing with David Villa. So again, it's a handful for sure. It's a team that can beat anyone in our league, certainly, and obviously the home field advantage they have here is the best in the league. It's a tough place to come and play and somebody's got to come here and play them. They're in really good form at the right time and we ran into them, unfortunately, when they got healthy. That was our own doing."

PHILADELPHIA UNION MIDFIELDER ALEJANDRO BEDOYA

Thoughts on the game and overall season...

"We can't give up an early goal. Playing from behind is always difficult especially when away. To give up a goal again in the first 10 minutes is an uphill battle. Unfortunately it's a learning experience. I am proud of their development and that they are getting playing time. These are invaluable experiences to come into these types of games like the last couple weeks especially tonight. We just can't expect to play from behind like this. They (NYCFC) did not give us a chance. Next year we expect some changes and hopefully we can grow into a better team. Very disappointing right now. It sucks. But when we look back at this season with a good run in the Open Cup and I am sure nobody gave us a chance to make the playoffs at the beginning of the year."

On playing with a young team...

"They are young kids. They are going to learn from this experience. They are going to learn from these games that against players like Moralez and David Villa and the big guns that they face. They held their own don't get me wrong. These games...some of these goals when we looked at the videos and stuff, we can't get beat that easily. They will learn when to step, how to go, not let guys turn and be more physical."

Message to Philadelphia fans...

"Our fans are very passionate. Very emotional. I am the same way. I wish we could have a better end to the season. But stick with us. Stick with this club. There is a lot of good things happening. I think the club is going in the right direction."

PHILADELPHIA UNION DEFENDER MARK MCKENZIE

Two big games against NYCFC at the end of the season. What do you take out of this game...

"It's been a great season. It's unfortunate to end the season with two losses. But, there's a lot to be proud of with how far we've come this year. The margins are very small here and we were punished for our mistakes. We had the bad pass on the first goal, or the second goal I should say, so just little things like that, you know. We'll have to come back into next year hungry."

What has the learning experiences you can get from a loss like this...

" I think the value of the season as a whole had its highs and its lows and you just have to get better. I'm only 19 and I have a lot to improve on. And that shows. So I'll have to go back and look at some stuff. But I'm proud of the season I've had so far. And I'll have to force my way back into the lineup next year and get better."

Do some of the positives of this season outweigh the negatives...

"I mean, yeah. We gotta still look back at the whole season, but I feel like there were a lot more ups than there were downs. I'm proud of us for sticking together through the rough times and the good times. You know, that comes in a 34 game season and now you go into the playoffs and it's a lot of grinding. So I'm proud of the group. I'm proud of myself. But we've still got a lot to improve on. And again, next year is a new year. Clean slate to go out there and improve."

New York City FC 3 - 1 Philadelphia Union

SUMMARY

New York City FC 3 - 1 Philadelphia Union

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs - Knockout Round

Yankee Stadium - Bronx, NY

Attendance: 15,153

LINEUPS

New York City FC: Sean Johnson; Ben Sweat, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Anton Tinnerholm; Alexander Ring, Yangel Herrera (80' Eloi Amagat), Maxi Moralez; Ronald Matarrita, David Villa (84' Valentin Castellanos), Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (63' Ebenezer Ofori)

SUBS UNUSED: Brad Stuver, Sebastien Ibeagha, Jesus Medina, Jo Inge Berget

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Raymon Gaddis, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Keegan Rosenberry (71' C.J. Sapong) ; Haris Medunjanin, Warren Creavalle (46' Ilsinho), Fabrice-Jean Picault, Borek Dockal, Alejandro Bedoya (82' Derrick Jones); Cory Burke

SUBS UNUSED: John McCarthy, Fabinho, Jack Elliott, Jay Simpson

SCORING SUMMARY

10' - NYC - Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (Assisted by: Maxi Moralez)

26' - NYC - David Villa (Assisted by: Maxi Moralez, Ronald Matarrita)

78' - NYC - Maxi Moralez (Assisted by: Anton Tinnerholm)

83' - PHI - Cory Burke (Assisted by: Ilsinho)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

24' - PHI - Mark McKenzie (YC - Unsporting Behavior)

55' - NYC - Maxime Chanot (YC - Unsporting Behavior)

71' - NYC - Ben Sweat (YC - Unsporting Behavior)

73' - PHI - Haris Medunjanin (YC - Dissent)

86' - PHI - Derrick Jones (YC - Unsporting Behavior)

Check out the New York City FC Statistics

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