NYCFC are back in a Finals Series Play-Off spot following their win over Toronto FC Sunday afternoon. The final score of the match was 3-0. Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey played host to the encounter. When the game began the Canadian outfit were last in the Eastern Conference and the New York club were sitting 11th.
NYCFC Beat Toronto 3-0 in Statistically Tight Match
Three Goals. Three Points. pic.twitter.com/J8wWleMF7x
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) September 24, 2023
Possession Level but NYCFC Creates More Chances
The New York side controlled the ball 53 percent of the time; only six percent more than their guests. Toronto had no shortage of ball possession but failed to create the chances that their hosts did. NYCFC took 17 shots to the Canadian side’s ten shots. Likewise, the winners had a total of eight attempts on targets while The Reds had only four.
Read More: Whitecaps vs Real Salt Lake Post-Match Analysis
Passing statistics for the match suggest that chance creation was the biggest gulf between the two clubs. NYCFC only topped Toronto FC in pass accuracy by a rate of 86 percent to 83 percent. The game had a clean ebb and flow, for the most part, but when it came to making the final pass NYCFC were the superior side.
Hosts Play a More Physical Match
Toronto FC committed only six fouls to the hosts eleven. NYCFC did not play a dirty game, they only received one yellow card over the course of ninety minutes, but their fouls were tactical. Most violations came far from the 18-yard box and broke up several key counter-attacks.
This is exactly how the New York outfit plays their soccer. September 2nd marked the last time they were outfouled in an MLS game. Toronto FC were not ready for the tactical approach made against them in fouling play-makers before chances were created.
Different Areas of Substitution
Of NYCFC’s four substitutes brought on by coach Nick Cushing, three of them were attacking players. Even when they were ahead they favored refreshing their frontline to continue their barrage, coach Terry Dunfield, of Toronto FC, used most of his subs on the backline.
Read More: CanWNT vs Jamaica Predictions on September 26 at BMO Field
Julian's first #NYCFC goal makes it 3️⃣ #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/FAFeOUS6UA
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) September 24, 2023
The defensive changes were not enough, though, and the Canadians fell to their New York hosts. NYCFC travels for their next match to play Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on September 30th at 7:30 PM EST. On the same date and at the same time, Cincinnati will host Toronto FC. Both games will be shown live on Apple TV.
Photo Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports, of a Andres Perea Headshot and a Federico Bernardeschi Headshot, on September 24, 2023.
