3 things we learned as NYCFC fell to Nashville SC in final game before break

Here is the good news.  The good news is that the World Cup break has officially begun for New York City FC.  The bad news is that the injuries have piled up and that the Pigeons lost their final game before the break.  The 2-1 Nashville SC loss was expected when it came to the result, but the performance was a little better than expected.

Nicolás Fernández Mercau scored the lone goal for the Boys in Blue.  He got NYCFC on the board via a penalty kick.  He was also the most threatening for his team, for he had five of their seven shots. 

Arguably, the offense still left a lot on the table.  However, compared to the Columbus Crew loss in the U.S. Open Cup, which was played on Wednesday, the Bronx side was better.  They had four shots on target, which is four more than the number they had in the Open Cup.  Plus, their overall play had more fight.  They did not want to give in despite the injuries.

Alas, a loss is still a loss.  Here are three things we learned from the match between NYCFC and Nashville SC.

Matt Freese needed a good game for NYCFC

There will be a few players who should make their national teams for the World Cup.  Matt Freese is one of them.  He is one of the better goalkeepers in Major League Soccer, but he is not having his personal best season.  The NYCFC goalkeeper has struggled to make the stops that he needs to make.  And Saturday’s game was no different.

He made four saves, but still allowed two goals from set pieces.  One was from a header via a corner kick, and the other was a header from a free kick.  Allowing one goal might have been acceptable, but he really needed to have a good match.  He is expected to make the United States men’s national team, but he is fighting to lock down the starting role.  Allowing two goals, especially from set pieces, is not ideal in his quest to be the starter.

Many of the goalkeepers for the USMNT are already criticized, and Freese does not want that to occur when he is between the sticks.  It did not help that the two goals occurred due to improper defending from Nico Cavallo and Tayvon Gray.  But honestly, Freese could have saved the first goal, and he almost did since he got a hand on the ball.

It does not help that this has been a similar pattern for the goalkeeper throughout the year.  His NYCFC teammates have not helped him, but even he took a slight step back.  Now, it is unknown whether Freese will be the starter for the national team.

The NYCFC injury curse remains alive and well

In the last week, the Queens team lost Maxi Moralez to an ACL tear during the Hudson River Derby.  Then, Keaton Parks suffered a leg injury during warmups before the Open Cup.  The injuries will not stop, and that was why eight were out for the Nashville meeting.

Sadly, the injury curse is alive and well.  And once again, there are concerns regarding a few players.  Malachi Jones, who won the penalty kick for NYCFC, was hurt on that very same foul.  He appeared to have hurt his shoulder, and he labored and was in clear pain despite continuing to play until the 66th minute.  The winger also played well.  The shoulder injury is exactly what he does not need, for he missed so much time after his leg injury.

Then, Hannes Wolf, who was the substitute for Jones, could not continue the end of the game.  He received treatment on the sidelines, and Pascal Jansen revealed he struggled to breathe.  Hopefully, there are no issues with his lungs, and this was just a freak moment.  Or, perhaps he has developed an allergy to pollen and was having a seasonal asthma attack.

Regardless, even with the break, NYCFC cannot take any more injuries.  The team needs a healthier squad.

NYCFC needs a new left-back

It is unknown how long Kevin O’Toole will be out.  One thing is certain, though, and that is that the Pigeons need a new left-back.  Cavallo is not the answer.  It was easy to root for him, and many fans wanted him to do well.  However, his struggles defensively have created a liability on the left side of the pitch.  After all, he was responsible for the first goal allowed.

In addition, Cavallo is often outrun by opposing forwards and struggles with his marking.  NYCFC should not bring in a new left-back this summer.  He needs to be a starter and someone who can compete with O’Toole once he is healthy.                                                                

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