Chris Gloster shines in NYCFC's 3-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes

After a slow start to the 2022 season, New York City FC is on a goalscoring run.  In their past two games, the Pigeons scored 11 goals total, and won both matches.  As such, expectations were high going into the Sunday matinee fixture against the San Jose Earthquakes, especially since the Bronx Blues have won four of the five previous meetings. 

Meanwhile, both teams have been scoring goals, but also giving up goals too in Major League Soccer play.  NYCFC did have the 6-0 win on Easter, but last weekend won 5-4.  Then, the Earthquakes are also coming off of a 2-2 draw on April 16, and then last weekend’s 4-3 win.  Hence, it was expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Alas, whereas it was not a back and forth, goal scoring affair, the Pigeons still added three more goals, and beat San Jose 3-0.  All of the goals came in the second half, with Keaton Parks, Gabriel Pereira, and Chris Gloster all finding the back of the net. 

It was not easy, and the opposition defended well for the majority of the game.  The home side also missed out on multiple chances, especially in the first half.   

New York City FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 after second-half goals

At first, the match started off sluggishly for New York City FC, and it was San Jose who controlled the pace of play and possession.  But, as the match went on, the tide began the change, and the Pigeons found their game legs.  They started to control the majority of the possession, and as a result, increased the opportunities in the attack.  But, the Earthquakes did enough to keep the home side off of the score sheet. 

At least, that was the case until the 74th minute.  Talles Magno, who is developing into an attacking threat, had the ball outside the box when he fell.  However, he immediately got back up and passed the ball to Parks, who stayed onside with the San Jose players.  With no one in front of him, he shot the ball toward the center of goal, and beat JT Marcinkowski with the aggressive kick. 

From that point on, there was no looking back.  Just a few minutes later, Pereira scored on a low, slight curler to make it 2-0.  Then, Gloster scored his first MLS goal, which resulted in the 3-0 score line.  It might have taken the 74 minutes for NYCFC to start scoring, but it does not matter when the goals occurred.  Rather, it matters that the Bronx side won at home, and picked up the three points.

More importantly, Thiago Martins was fit enough to start the match, and had a decent performance in the backline.  But Maxime Chanot and Maxi Moralez were both available off the bench, and the fixture saw the return of the Argentine midfielder.  Moralez missed about a month of playing time, and his return was not rusty in any form.  He immediately became a difference maker when he came on for the final 25 minutes of play.  Not only did he calm down and dictate the play in the midfield, but he also put the ball into the final third numerous times. 

Chris Gloster played his best game in a New York City FC shirt

Unfortunately, as some players came back from injury, Malte Amundsen went down.  The left-back had to be substituted off in the 56th minute due to a possible muscular injury.  Gloster then came on, and played his best game for New York City FC. 

Since his signing in 2021, the 21 year old has often been criticized during his few chances on the pitch.  In the past, he has been mistake prone, and failed to contribute.  But against San Jose, he was another player.  Defensively, he was mostly solid, and helped limit the Californian side’s opportunities in the second half. 

It was his work in the final third though that was truly impressive.  Again, in the past, he normally had poor crosses.  This time, most of Gloster’s crosses and passes into the box were spot on.  Unlike Amundsen, who has struggled somewhat offensively over the last few matches, he increased the opportunities for the attackers near the goal.  He also continued to run up the left side of the pitch, causing problems for the Earthquakes.  It was hard to stop him, and in the end this led to the defender’s first MLS goal.

In the 88th minute, Gloster was making a run on the left side when Moralez picked the left-back out, and sent the ball his way.  The young defender retrieved the ball, and continued his run into the box.  When he got closer to the goal, he took his shot, and speedily snuck the ball in-between the post and Marcinkowski.  The finish could not have been more perfect. 

So, if Amundsen has to be out for a period of time, then maybe this shows fans what they can expect from Gloster.  Although, and there is no intention to be negative, it was only one game.  The left-back has to consistently perform in order to view his signing as positive.  Nonetheless, he proved he has the ability to play well, and maybe Gloster might be able to solidify a starting role for New York City FC as the season progresses.