Better late than never: How Bénie Traoré will impact NYCFC's playoff hopes

The city of New York can never seem to catch a true break of peace and tranquility, truly embracing the old saying, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” For New York City FC, this couldn’t be more of a reality.

In November of last year, Alosno Martínez suffered a very serious ACL injury while reporting to duty for the Costa Rican national team during World Cup qualifiers. This derailed any momentum he had individually, feeling like a death blow for him and the NYCFC fan base, with him being one of the best offensive options in the squad.

Bad news remained at NYCFC’s doorstep. In May, in the Hudson Derby against the New York Red Bulls, Maxi Moralez ruptured his ACL. This caused conversations in the media to bubble, wondering if this would be the last time NYCFC fans would see him wear a sky blue shirt, as he is already in the latter part of his career.

Then, there is the media storm and drama surrounding Nicolás Fernández Mercau and his contract situation with the club and ownership. Questions remain about whether the club's best player will leave.

NYCFC needed help and Bénie Traoré might be the answer

The most grueling part of it all was a stretch of games between April and May. After a strong start, NYCFC went on a seven-game winless streak in Major League Soccer between March 22 and May 3. Notable lapses on defense continue to be the main culprit for losing winnable games, and on the offensive side, Fernández Mercau carried the individual play, consistently and strongly. Everyone could see he needed dire assistance on the attacking front.

It seems like NYCFC ownership was definitely listening. On June 29, the Bronx side finalized a deal, welcoming 23-year-old Ivorian forward Bénie Traoré, previously with FC Basel, adding a player with youth, versatility, and the ability to play as a winger or a central striker. His positional flexibility and transition-heavy game fit perfectly within the philosophy and playing scheme that Head Coach Pascal Jansen utilizes.

Although he has only played in four games in all competitions so far for the club with an average match rating of 6.13, after crunching some numbers via FotMob, his acclimation and progression on the pitch will be extremely vital. NYCFC has only 16 regular-season games left, currently sitting in the Eastern Conference table of Major League Soccer with a record of 7W-6L-5D, with 18 games played and 26 points, positioning them in fifth place but leaving them on the outside looking in ahead of possibly being a host in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Traoré will be crucial to help NYCFC get the edge and be the X factor against Inter Miami CF, Nashville SC, and the New England Revolution. In order to make a strong playoff run, the team from the Big Apple has to not allow their opposition to take them out of their style of football. When given pockets of space, especially on the counterattack, players like Traoré and forward Talles Magno should be the perfect duo to make defenses pay, especially with Traoré playing and utilizing the wing strategically with pace.

When energy is dropping on the offensive side of the ball, newcomer forward Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos can be a nice backup option. He is still gelling with much of his new squad, though.

Continuing to fortify the defensive line and play as a unit to not allow soft entry goals will be the biggest challenge. While offense may win games, time and time again it is seen in sports how vital collective and assertive defense is in winning championships or, in this case, raising shields.

NYCFC's fan base has to brace themselves for the final stretch of the season and the whole new ball game that the playoffs present. It can either go one of two ways: sink under pressure or rise to the occasion, but only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: Traoré should help.

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