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NYCFC looks to regain form with Hudson River Derby win

NYCFC looks to regain form after a positive step with a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on September 18, 2022

THE BRONX, NY – Saturday afternoon, NYCFC and the New York Red Bulls faced off at Yankee Stadium in this season’s second rendition of the Hudson River Derby. With NYCFC emerging victorious back in July, the Pigeons have again painted New York blue in a 2-0 win over the Red Bulls that seemed to help the home side finally regain some confidence and form. It was a great win as NYCFC looks to regain form after winning two-straight wins.

 

NYCFC looks to regain form with back-to-back massive wins

After a ten-game stretch that had seen NYCFC manage just one win, two draws, and seven losses. They picked up a win over Mexico’s Atlas in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday and after earning a win against their rivals at the weekend the club is in a far better position than they were just a week ago.

While the Red Bulls have already clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs, NYCFC’s recent struggles have unfortunately made that same goal difficult to reach under head coach Nick Cushing. However, just one more win from two matches following the upcoming international break will see NYCFC claim a spot to defend their 2021 MLS Cup crown in this year’s playoffs and hopefully enter on a good run of form.

Is Callens one of the league’s best defenders?

As he’s done across his six seasons with the club, Alexander Callens played a key role in this matchup for NYCFC scoring a first-minute goal and defending a clean sheet as he earned the Man of the Match award. This was subsequently after his leading performance over Atlas in which Callens scored the opening goal of the match before working to secure a clean sheet as NYCFC won the Campeones Cup.

While MLS isn’t particularly known as a very strong defensive league, Callens has consistently stood out for the Pigeons even during stints of struggles this year and last. He’s well adept on the field and is just as comfortable retreating in defense as he is carrying the ball forward into attack, and has been a hugely important part of NYCFC’s set-piece tactics this season.

Despite, in my opinion, being one of the league’s most underrated defenders, Callens has shown over the past two matches once again why he is a top-tier player and contributor in MLS.

Parks looming could prove a big addition to New York City

Marking his third return to action (second in league play) since having surgery back in June, while still not 100% according to himself, Keaton Parks’ readdition could be huge for NYCFC heading into the last month of the season and beyond.

He’s only totaled 27 minutes on the field since his return but if Parks can get back to 90-95 percent, his presence in the midfield would be exciting for a team that’s been somewhat overrun as of late. He was a key piece of Ronny Deila’s squad prior to injury this year and throughout much of last season despite also battling injuries and could be a substantial contributor if he’s healthy.

 

Last Word: This could be the rebound NYCFC needed

Two pretty big wins for NYCFC have seen the mood around the club completely change following a two-month slog of games and heading into an international break. Fans were quickly turning on new interim head coach Nick Cushing in the face of adversity but a cup win and a derby victory can ease any tensions within any soccer club.

 

Following the break, NYCFC will host Orlando City at Red Bull Arena on October 2 as the Pigeons try to clinch that playoff berth at last.

Photo Credit: New York City FC’s Twitter Account on September 17, 2022.

 

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