Posted By Mark Hinkley on Jul 19, 2017 in Match Previews & Reports, Uncategorized | 3 comments

NYCFC as the Generals

Long day. No predictions. No insight.  I called for a win on the road.  Ambitious, I know.

On To The Match :

12’ – GOAL – Ball finds its way into the box, first hit cross by Spencer, full volley to Ashtone Morgan, and buries it like a pro for his first goal and Kristin squees uncontrollably for seven-to-ten minutes somewhere.
PIZZA RATS 0, ROBINS 1

26’ – YELLOW – Moor booked for something.

31’ – SUB – Giovinco comes off for Chapman. NOBODY PANIC!! #OKPanic

33’ – YELLOW – Bono for time wasting. Well thought out on that one.

45+2’ – GOAL – David Villa breaks towards the box, Cheyrou makes a great tackle, but Harrison picks up the ball, dishes back to David Villa and fires it past Bono.
PIZZA RATS 1, ROBINS 1

Halftime Mood : almost made it to the whistle with the lead.

49’ – OK, you just need to see it, buuuut… Cheyrou cross nearly finds Chapman, ends up in Spencer’s path, he heads it down and Chapman’s legs somehow slams it in. What?  Refs are reviewing this?

50’ – Goal cancelled. Nevermind. Chapman was deemed offside.

53’ – Vanney sent off? Whatever ref, job security motherfucker. Boom. #micDrop

57’ – GOAL – dammit… David Villa crosses to Morales, Morales dances with Mavinga on him, takes a shot, deflects off of Mavinga and beats Bono.
PIZZA RATS 2, ROBINS 1

61′ – SUB – Hamilton comes on for Spencer

69’ – YELLOW – Morgan takes a knock and requires some stitches, I guess he was responsible for the collision.

70’ – SUB – Edwards on for Morgan

72’ – BennyBalls fires a rocket just wide of the goal.

90’ – PENALTY – Hamilton gets on the end of a big cross and gets hauled down 6 yards from goal.

90+1’ – GOAL – Vazquez buries it.
PIZZA RATS 2, ROBINS 2

4 minutes of extra time

Full Time : New York 2, Toronto 2

Man of the Match : Ashtone Morgan, go on…

Goat of the Game : pass.

Ref Rating : 3 out of 5

I Am Not The Gaffer, But… : I’d have thrown a punch.

In Case You PVR’d It : Watch the whole game.  It’s not a classic, but you see a pile of character.

At times, it felt like this flimsy setup was going to collapse, then someone would make a great tackle and they weren’t quite dead yet. There were periods where they played very well and then they’d get outclassed on a counter attack.  It was an impressive performance with all of the missing pieces AAAAAND two substitutions due to injury.  I don’t know if they deserved a point necessarily, but they were far from poor.

No matter how it’s explained, if the last attacker with the ball is onside, how can any of his teammates be offside, even if the pass is backwards then forwards?  I feel like the reward for getting three players past the last defender should be that they’re all onside now.  But what do I know of the laws… Full disclosure, if Bono had earned a second yellow after the time wasting, he’d be goat of the month… Raise your hand if you smiled when David Villa wiffed on that cross early in the match and slipped on the grass?  I sure did… Every time I see Yankee Stadium and an NYCFC home match, all I can think of is any team that doesn’t have a soccer specific stadium has no excuse.  Miami should have a team and play out of the Marlins stadium.  It’s so bad and discount seeing such a narrow pitch.  Never forget, money = exceptions and blind eyes…

Player Ratings : Bono 6.5, Mavinga 6, Moor 6, Hernandez 6.5, Morgan 7.5 (Edwards 6), Cheyrou 7, Delgado 6.5, Alseth 5.5, Vazquez 7, Spencer 6 (Hamilton N/A), Giovinco 6 (Chapman 6)

Unused Substitutions : Zavaleta, Endoh, Hasler, Endoh, Irwin