3 things we learned from NYCFC's frustrating loss to the Houston Dynamo | OneFootball

Decked out in the 24/7 kits, New York City FC played Houston Dynamo FC on a chilly and rainy night.  The weather was not necessarily in either team’s favor, and they had to brave the elements throughout the fixture.  It did not help that few fans were at Yankee Stadium, but the Pigeons had to play the match.

Despite two solid wins in a row, NYCFC did not find the back of the net against Houston and lost 3-0.  Notably, this was the third loss at Yankee Stadium this year.  It raises the question of whether the Pigeons are losing their home advantage.  At the same time, based on their play, the home team should have been better against the visitors.

Instead, the scoring struggles resumed after a welcome disappearance over the last two matches.  Of course, it was argued that NYCFC could have scored more, especially against Chicago Fire FC.  But the difference was that they had the clinical finish, but against Houston, they did not.

This was a frustrating loss, and there is plenty to discuss.  Here are three things we learned from NYCFC’s game against the Houston Dynamo.

3 things we learned from NYCFC’s loss

3. Matt Freese’s injury scare

NYCFC struggled defensively against Houston.  Sure, the focus will be on the scoring issues, but the Pigeons should have been better in the backline.  Justin Haak should not have scored an own goal, and the Boys in Blue should not have fallen asleep when Houston scored the second.

At the same time, Matt Freese made the initial save against Erik Dueñas’ shot.  However, it looked like he injured his arm, for pain flashed across his face.  The goalkeeper grabbed his arm and did not even attempt to stop Gabriel Segal’s shot, who scored the second goal for the Dynamo.

Right away, there was an immediate concern.  The training staff came onto the pitch and examined him, and there was the thought that he would have to come out.

To the surprise of many, Freese stayed in the game for NYCFC.  He did not look entirely comfortable, so his status will be something to pay attention to.  Hopefully, that injury scare was just a scare, and the pain was just from the initial contact.

2. NYCFC’s struggles at Yankee Stadium

Throughout the years, Yankee Stadium was usually a fortress for NYCFC.  This season, after the loss to the Dynamo, the Boys in Blue have lost three games in their main home venue.  This is extremely concerning, especially since they only have one more regular-season game at Citi Field.

Even during the poor 2023 season, NYCFC only lost three Major League Soccer home games across all of the stadiums.  So, what is going on, and why are teams suddenly taking over Yankee Stadium?  Does it have to do with the inability to be consistent?

In the end, it does not matter why.  NYCFC must figure it out sooner rather than later.  Losing three matches in a venue that is normally a fortress could be what hurts the Pigeons down the line.

1. Where is NYCFC’s consistency?

One of NYCFC’s flaws this season is their inability to be consistent.  If the Bronx team can be consistent, then they will be one step closer and have a stronger chance of winning every match that they play.

The problem is that they have not been consistent, especially in the attack.  Sometimes they will have games like the one against Chicago, where they were threatening and scored multiple goals.  Then there are times like the Houston game, where the Pigeons outplay the opposing team, with the exception of what matters the most: threatening to score and actually finding the back of the net.

NYCFC has the ability to pick up more wins despite the lack of depth on the roster.  But maybe the lack of depth is hurting them, where they cannot be consistent.  That should not be the case, but it is something that can be true.