LA Galaxy 1-0 NYCFC
If you were to compare the performance of both teams to the game NYCFC last played in the CCL, yes, MLS has made great strides, but it was of course facing a mid level team in the Costa Rican domestic league, hardly Saprissa. It was a good competitive game, NYCFC was not stringing together double digit passes on just about every possession, in fact LA did string together a few. Both teams had their fair chances on goal, many were missed due to lack of play, poor choices on shot or pass or more touches, but for a season opener, neither team should be upset. For LA it was only their 2nd shutout in 14 games, for 2nd year HC, Greg Vanney, a marked improvement. For NYCFC, a decent game with plenty of improvement needed to get back to the title.
So early on, at just 2’ Magno took a pass in from Maxi, striking the headed ball as should be down, but I was right at the GK. Vazquez would strike a very optimistic 30 yard shot goalward, headed away by Callens, his play has risen big time over the last season, could It be due to extensive minutes with Peru for their World Cup Qualifiers? Acosta was issued an early caution, at 15’ for encroachment, not getting back 10 yards from the free kick spot, something the league is enforcing more this season. This will allow for more quick re-starts, more offense, more chances to get the opponent off balance etc. Delgado dished off the ball and he shot from the 6 was ineffectual as it was directly at Johnson, are the ‘keepers getting better at positioning or are the passes not quite placed so well. A foul on Acevedo now has him on a tight rope as he runs into Jefferson who stays down for a few. Taty lays off a tremendous through ball to Rodrigues, but does not get through a number of Galaxy players. Costa advances the ball on NYCFC, only to be shut down by the aforementioned Callens. Gray is unable to reel in a pass and it goes out of touch. Acevedo, with another foul may now be bordering on being cautioned for persistent infringement. Taty seeks out Maxi in the 6 but the netminder reels it in. Rodrigues and the LA player are holding each other, the call goes against NYCFC. Edwards rips Rodrigues, Maxi goes down for a bit but gets up on his own power. Magno gets fouled, the offending player did not give the 10 yards had Magno moved on, had he tried to put the ball in play, a caution may just have been issued. Gray makes a steal, getting it to Rodrigues. A long possession of 10+ passes with some skill out of Taty and Magno lead to a Maxi shot that falls wide. A 70 yard pass out of the back targeting Rodrigues is grabbed up by the ‘keeper. Aragno hugs Chanot, to the face and puts him in a headlock, very clear for VAR, missed, no call despite going to the face, WWE here we are. Costa picks up a yellow. Chanot able to meg his mark, wins a throw in. Acevedo clears out a corner meant for Chicarito. Taty, off a 50 yard ball, as he is falling away got off a shot at 46’ does no damage. Taty again with a cross deep in the LA end of the field wins a corner a 47’ out of 48’s. Amundson is booked for a sliding tackle made after the ball was already gone, need to save those yellows for better times. Chanot suffers a blow to the head, again, a lot of blood from his most certainly broken nose has him out for a few, the video was shown once, it was unclear if it was a teammate or opponent that struck him, it did not appear intentional. Nose packed, kit changed, Chanot returns. Costa wins a corner, Chicarito with a great feed from Arajo, Chicha gives him the 2 thumbs up, the ball was shot up, not at the goal. Mango gives way to Andrade, he did not have nearly the game he did in the last one of the CCL. Parks, back from surgery for a blood clot in his leg came on for Acevedo, both were moves for offense, Delia wants to win his one, opening game on the road. Vazquez, unable to get enough on a headed ball to get to Arajo. A pair of opponents take on Gray and he draws the foul. Taty takes on Edwards, but to no avail. Chicarito is down, Costa gives way for Alvarez. A first time full volley by Chicarito is saved by Johnson over the endline for a corner. Another first time shot by LA is blocked by Callens. Deep in his offensive 3rd, Thiago is called for a foul, no hard challenges, no fouls so deep. Gray down holding his Achilles is a scary site, as Maxi is also down, Tayvon writhing in pain was up in a bit and walking well. Jasson out of FC Westchester is in for Rodrigues at the next change. Taty from Andrade finds Maxi, his shot is not taken, corner coming, the ball is partially cleared by Chicharito. Maxi tries to slip a pass in but it goes out of touch. Sacha in for Vazquez. Ellison with a shot, but not on frame a 86’. Taty does not connect with Jasson. Chicha delivers, pre game he stated he would have the first goal for the year, he does so. Chanot is faked into a slide tackle, tucking It away from the top of the 6 yard box. Minute 4 of 6 in extra time shows Heber going in on goal but nothing comes of it. Maxi leveled by Arajo, DFK, Maxi gives to Parks, to Heber the shot is off frame. Chicarito takes it to the corner, beats a pair, wins a throw in, he is so happy. At the final whistle, Chicha goes straight to Edwards for the assist on the games sole goal.