The rodeo has begun.
It’s hard to pinpoint what separates this game from the last, mostly because literally everything has been changed. What was a lackadaisical, broken team has become a stampede. Mike Petke’s boys are finally back.
The biggest game changer was the change in offensive tactics. In the last few games, we saw New York attack from the wings through a slow buildup play. The ball might be played around the middle a few times before pushing it to Lloyd Sam. He’d lay it off for Kimura, who’d return the favor. Sam would run for a bit, get level with the box, turn once, turn again back onto his strong foot, and then cross it. It’s excruciatingly slow, and since the defense has time to position themselves, Henry is forced to use his physicality to stack the box, something which he despises. At the same time, the rebound will come out, and players will prefer to pass it around the box to create opportunities rather than move forward with it. It’s been an uneventful game of possession, and once New York concedes an unlucky goal, they’re forced to panic forward in hopes of leveling the game.
Now compare this to Red Bull’s best games last year. In games where New York scored four goals, the attacks came from fast buildup, counter attacks, and more direct set pieces. The crosses that were delivered came in when the defense didn’t have time to set up, allowing Cahill to lunge forward over tall defenders and power the ball into net. On the offense, Henry and towards the end of last year Peguy Luyindula were able to use finesse to create plays and send their wingers running towards goal. On the left side, Steele was at his best when taking uncontested shots at the keeper, and Alexander was best when spinning through defenses.
This was the perfect recipe for New York. It was like putting spicy seasoning on a steak. It takes something that is already good, and brings out the fullest of its flavor. This was the New York that arose from the dead on Wednesday. The entire style of play changed for the team, and they used the same midfield ferocity that they had in the past few games and stretched it ninety minutes. Alexander may claim that he’s a central midfielder, but his performance on the left wing was outstanding. He was able to make through passes that tore apart the Union’s defense, something that he has struggled with this season. Henry was like a conductor, using his dribbling skill to draw away defenders and make plays.
The passing was also phenomenal. In their worst games, New York has been reduced to use sideways and backwards passing to retain possession. All throughout the game, Luyindula was putting in through balls to the offense and the quick transition play was leaving defenders burned. Overall, the game resurrected New York’s ideal style of play, the style of play that crushes opposition, the style that fills stadiums.
In the end, New York fought for the win. Seeing as there’s a mandatory one penalty giveaway a game, Petke will have to solidify his squad even further, possibly throwing in youngsters yearning for a chance to start. Even though the game went off with a few hinges, it’s a promise that there’s much yet to come from this side.
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