NYCFC's win over Real Salt Lake means that the winless streak is finally over | OneFootball

What happens when two teams that are winless in multiple games in Major League Soccer face one another? Fans get a game where both sides wanted all three points.  New York City FC was winless in their last seven MLS matches and eight in all competitions when they faced Real Salt Lake, who was winless in their last ten MLS matches.

But it was NYCFC who finally ended their streak by beating the home team 2-0. It was not easy by any means. The difference, though, was that the Pigeons capitalized on their chances despite only having six shots, while Salt Lake failed to score from 15 shots.

Sure, some might argue that the home side was a team that the Pigeons could beat.  They needed a result that showed who they truly are, though, and finally they did.

It did not start like NYCFC would come away with three points.  Instead, as per the Apple TV commentary team, Real Salt Lake decided to play some of their best football in months at the start.  This caused the Bronx side to play with their backs against the wall and defend for their lives for the first 20 to 25 minutes.

NYCFC's winless streak is over

Yet, the defense made some poor errors, forcing Matt Freese to make some big-time saves close together.  In the 16th minute, he made a double save after it appeared to be some miscommunication.  He spilled the ball on the first save, but then forced it wide on the second.  He also had saves in the 19th and 20th minutes.  In the latter, he had to quickly react and force the ball up into the air before gobbling it up.

In other words, Salt Lake had the hunger that NYCFC should have had.  But interestingly, Hannes Wolf went down injured at one point.  He was eventually okay, but during this period, Pascal Jansen used the time to speak to some of his players.  This led NYCFC to be a little smarter in their passes and maintain more possession.

The Boys in Blue still struggled offensively, but at least they were playing more in the final third.  And after 41 minutes, they finally had a shot on target.  Oh, and that shot turned into a goal.

Andrés Perea won a free kick outside of the left side of the box.  It was clear the spot would not result in a direct free kick, and Agustín Ojeda, who does not always take free kicks, was the one to do so.  However, he sent the ball to his right rather than into the box.  Nicolás Fernández Mercau put himself right outside the center to retrieve it, and the Argentine swept the ball into the upper-left corner of the goal.

Real Salt Lake did not watch where he went and arguably fell asleep on the free kick.  But the set piece from the training ground was successful.

Alas, one goal would not be enough.  NYCFC needed to score again, for they had too many late goals that led to draws or losses.  And in the 61st minute, Luighi capitalized on his shot.

Ojeda, who was brilliant throughout the match, made a solid run on the right side of the pitch.  The young Brazilian knew when to stop in the box and waited for a moment as the winger passed the ball right to him.  Luighi subsequently took control of the ball and awkwardly swept it right next to the right side of the net.  Thankfully, it went in on the correct side of the goal.

As the match progressed, there were still periods when the Pigeons had to be perfect defensively.  The two-goal lead helped, but it was not like they had numerous attacking chances.  NYCFC was fortunate that they had the clinical touch on Saturday.

So, it was not shocking that Jansen brought on Aiden O’Neill and Kevin O’Toole in the 80th minute to add fresh legs to the defense.  That helped as Real Salt Lake revived their offensive push at the end of the match.

But what really helped in the end was the defensive work from Thiago Martins and James Sands.  They were the players to watch, and it was thought that they needed to be at the top of their game to lead the Boys in Blue to a win.  Thankfully, that is exactly what happened. Of course, one cannot forget Freese and his six saves either.

Also, not only is the winless streak over, but Alonso Martínez made his return to the pitch for the first time since he tore his ACL last year.  This was an emotional moment, and it means he is one step closer on his road to being 100% back.