Hannes Wolf leads NYCFC to beat the Columbus Crew, ending the winless streak | OneFootball

Life has been bleak for New York City FC.  The team was winless in their last seven Major League Soccer games as they entered the weekend for the final home fixture before the World Cup break.  It was also the start of five games in two weeks, so the players knew that winning against the Columbus Crew would be vital.  And after seven games without a win, NYCFC has finally won, winning 3-0.

It did not help that Pascal Jansen was without seven players due to injury.  This could have been a day that the head coach could have started one of the younger players, like Jonathan Shore.  Aiden O’Neill was out, and Kai Trewin could have partnered with Thiago Martins instead of Raul Gustavo.

Instead, Trewin stayed in the defensive midfield, partnering with Keaton Parks, and Shore remained on the bench before coming on for a brief appearance. Gustavo has been criticized, and there is a feeling that his partnership with Martins might not be the right choice.  The center-back has had some great moments, but the defensive struggles have been loud this season.

This time, NYCFC was solid defensively and earned their first shutout for the first time in a long time.  Gustavo actually had one of his better matches, and luckily, any mistakes made did not haunt the Boys in Blue.

NYCFC has finally won again

Of course, before the start of the game, NYCFC clearly needed someone to step up and be the hero.  With the high possibility of Columbus dominating in possession, which the visitors had about 56%, the Boys in Blue had to take their chances when they could.  And in the first half, they did just that.  In fact, Hannes Wolf, who scored a brace in the last meeting and the win between the two teams, did so again in the first half.

The winger’s first goal came in the 12th minute.  Nicolás Fernández Mercau found Agustín Ojeda making a great run on the right side and slotted the ball to the younger player.  Ojeda then passed the ball to Wolf, who was waiting in the box.  He slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner of the goal, leaving Patrick Schulte in the dust.

Four minutes later, Fernández Mercau earned his first assist of the season by sending the ball into the box right toward Wolf.  The Austrian was in front of the goal, and with one tap, he forced the ball in as the Columbus goalkeeper fell to the ground.  None of Schulte’s defenders were marking Wolf, and he took the advantage to secure a first-half brace.

While Columbus continued to maintain possession, not even their crisp and quick passes could prevent NYCFC’s disruption.  The Pigeons kept breaking up the play and reducing the opportunities for their opposition.

It cannot be said that this was a top defensive performance, for there were some issues for the backline.  Gustavo gave up the ball a few times, and Nico Cavallo was sometimes beaten on the ball.  Martins cleaned up the messes created by his teammates, though, and was vital in helping protect Matt Freese.

But thankfully, those two goals were not the end of the attack.  There were some solid opportunities from Maxi Moralez, Fernández Mercau, and others.  However, in the 66th minute, Wolf earned his first hat-trick with NYCFC.

Chaos is the best word to describe the box in the 66th minute.  Multiple players attempted to get off a shot, but the Crew was holding steady.  Then, right on the edge of the box, Fernández Mercau attempted to take possession and shoot, but he could not stabilize himself to do so.  As such, Wolf, who was right there, again took one touch to send the ball flying into the goal.  The golazo sealed the deal for the Pigeons and ended the winless streak.

This was exactly what NYCFC needed.  The players wanted to win in front of the fans, for they will not be home again until July.  They also have some tough matches coming up, all on the road, and this was one they could win on paper.

The Bronx side needed a hero, and Wolf stepped up.  The winger has been hot or cold too often, and he is talented enough that he should consistently be one of the top players for the Pigeons.  There is no guarantee that the dark times are going to completely go away.  But at the very least, there is a shot now for better days ahead.

The most important thing is that NYCFC officially has three points again for the first time since the middle of March.  The winless streak is over!