3 things we learned from NYCFC's Game 2 loss to Charlotte FC | OneFootball

New York City FC entered Saturday’s game with a goal of sealing the Round One Best-of-3 series with a win.  After a surprising but welcoming win on the road against Charlotte FC in the first game, which was the first win there, the Pigeons desperately wanted to win at home in front of their fans.  Unfortunately, after a 0-0 draw in regulation, the home side lost 7-6 in a penalty kick shootout.

The Boys in Blue had multiple opportunities to score despite the result.  NYCFC had some parts of the game that were lackluster in front of the goal, while they also had times when they were threatening.  Two of the best chances came from Thiago Martins and Raul Gustavo, in which the center-backs both had headers that could have gone past Kristijan Kahlina.

At the same time, one would have thought that NYCFC would have moved on in the penalty kick shootout with Matt Freese between the sticks.  He only made one save.  In addition, Julián Fernández did not help either, for the forward sent the ball in the opposite direction of Kahlina, but kicked the ball wide.  This led to the Pigeons, who had the lead, to be tied again in the shootout. If he had scored, then the Bronx side would have won.

Hence, NYCFC now has to return to Charlotte and try to get a second road win in North Carolina.  In the meantime, here are three things we learned from the second game of the Best-of-3 series.

NYCFC cannot rely on Alonso Martínez

Alonso Martínez was one of the scorers in the penalty kick shootout for NYCFC, but failed to find the back of the net in regulation.  Over the last few games against playoff teams, the Boys in Blue have struggled to score.  Since the regular season win over Charlotte, the Bronx team has only scored twice against playoff teams, losing three of those four matches.

Hence, the Pigeons cannot rely on Martínez to score the goals.  They need others to step up to the plate.  Sure, it would be great for the Costa Rican to score, too.  However, the Crown must realize by now that they can shut the forward down, and those tactics can lead NYCFC to not score.

If the team wants to win the third match, especially in regulation, then it is as clear as day: other players must capitalize on chances.

Matt Freese was not himself in the shootout

Freese has had success when facing penalty kicks, both with his club and country.  In shootouts, he has proven time and time again that he is reliable.  But this time, the NYCFC goalkeeper was not himself between the sticks.

Yes, he saved the shot from Ashley Westwood in the penalty kick shootout, but failed to make any others.  There were a few that he should have stopped, including the kick from Archie Goodwin.  The keeper got a hand on the ball, but it still powered into the back of the net.  Then, there was the kick from Djibril Diani, and Freese failed to even move and try to make the save.

This was truly unlike the goalkeeper fans know and love.  Even in regulation, he had three saves and earned the clean sheet.  But during the shootout, he appeared lost.  In all honesty, there were some moments where he did not even look like a goalkeeper.

That was probably NYCFC’s last home game

Regardless of what happens on Friday, that was probably NYCFC’s last home game of the season.  The Philadelphia Union won on Saturday, so that means the Pigeons would have to travel to Chester, Pennsylvania, if they manage to shockingly win another match in Charlotte.

Interestingly, based on regulation, that was the only draw at home this season.  It would have been nice if some of the six regular-season losses at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field had ended in a draw.  But alas, NYCFC was not the same team at home this season, and even the draw and penalty kick loss highlighted this.