{"id":37359,"date":"2021-09-23T14:33:47","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T18:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=37359"},"modified":"2021-09-23T14:58:06","modified_gmt":"2021-09-23T18:58:06","slug":"return-of-rodriguez-and-heber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2021\/09\/23\/return-of-rodriguez-and-heber\/","title":{"rendered":"How will the return of Rodr\u00edguez and H\u00e9ber benefit NYCFC"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>The possible return of Rodr\u00edguez and H\u00e9ber<\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rodr\u00edguez goes down against New England<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Tough night in New England. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AHnjAPOr0r\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/AHnjAPOr0r<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/newyorkcityfc\/status\/1436857703339540480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>EDITORIAL<\/strong> &#8211; One of the more disappointing moments from NYCFC\u2019s Sept. 11 loss to Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution other than the final 2-1 scoreline was the injury to midfielder Santiago Rodr\u00edguez in the early 16-minute of the matchup at Gillette Stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nycfc.com\/news\/injury-report-three-out-one-questionable-for-dallas\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Listed as out with a lower-body injury by the club<\/a>, Rodr\u00edguez would be unavailable for selection by head coach Ronny Delia for City\u2019s previous two games which came against FC Dallas and FC Cincinnati.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But while his injury was announced, a timeline for Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s return was never set despite how exciting the 21-year-old has been since his arrival on loan in the Bronx this summer, securing three goals playing as both an attacking midfielder and winger in twelve appearances prior to his hamstring issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Long-awaited return of H\u00e9ber<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During that same timeline, NYCFC fans were treated to the return of striker H\u00e9ber who hasn&#8217;t been in the squad since September 2020 when he tore his ACL in a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC. The Brazilian was on the bench for City\u2019s 3-3 draw with FC Dallas and was given a 9-minute run out to close the game and then earned a spot on the bench again in the 2-1 win over Cincinnati.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While his acclamation back into the squad should be slow following a serious injury, New York City will remember his fifteen goals in the 2018\/19 season fondly and although not short for offensive firepower this year, it is no doubt his return has brought a lift to the NYCFC community and fans will be excited to see his continued inclusion within the squad.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Wow, I don\u2019t know where to begin. but I would like to start by saying thank you God for giving me the opportunity to do what I love to do the most again. It was a long journey, long 351 days away from the field, with many doubts in my mind, insecurities, thoughts, unsure of <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/neBXuRx1DT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/neBXuRx1DT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; H9 (@Heber__Araujo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Heber__Araujo\/status\/1438183586629406724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rodr\u00edguez set for Rivalry Week return<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nycfc.com\/news\/injury-report-clean-bill-of-health-for-hudson-river-derby\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NYCFC\u2019s injury report<\/a> was released early Wednesday afternoon and to the surprise of many listed Rodr\u00edguez as back in contention for playing time in the upcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2021\/09\/21\/new-york-red-bulls-vs-nycfc\/\" target=\"_self\">Double Hudson River Derby week against New York Red Bulls<\/a> with Rodr\u00edguez earning a spot on the bench but not making an appearance in the first match, a 1-1 draw on Sept. 22 before the second match which will be played on Sept. 25.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Rodr\u00edguez not getting any minutes in the opening derby matchup at Red Bull Arena, fully expect to see him back in his starting position come the return fixture which will be played at Yankee Stadium and especially as City looks to finish out the season in good form and head into playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does the return of Rodr\u00edguez and H\u00e9ber bring to NYCFC:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An offense led by Taty Castellanos, Maxi Moralez, and Jes\u00fas Medina has been the strongest part of NYCFC\u2019s squad this season while <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2021\/09\/15\/nycfc-defensive-struggles-draw-dallas\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">their defense has struggled more recently<\/a>. However, depth is always important and the return of two offensive prowesses in Rodr\u00edguez and H\u00e9ber will surely add to their already high MLS goal count of 44 total so far this season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s unfortunate that Rodr\u00edguez went down when he did as the attacker was just starting to consistently work his way into Deila\u2019s starting lineup but after missing just two games expect him to bounce back and find his way onto the field quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">A possible timeline for both Rodr\u00edguez and H\u00e9ber to return<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realistically, I see Rodr\u00edguez working back into Deila\u2019s starting XI within the next few games once he\u2019s regained full fitness as the Uruguayan has been fairly productive during his loan stint and should continue to provide pace, movement, and good finishing out on the left-wing where he\u2019s primarily featured.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">H\u00e9ber is definitely in a more interesting position as his return to 100 percent will be a slow and steady one but we\u2019ve seen the goal-scoring capabilities he possesses and know what he brings on the pitch, not just in front of goal but to the offense as a whole. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">H\u00e9ber could potentially make a great super subheading towards the playoffs as he starts to find his feet again and can be the guy to help carry the offense into the final 10-15 minutes of a match.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MUST WATCH: Incredible Solo Goal Scored by NYCFC&#039;s Thiago Andrade\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wyuuwwl2RBc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NYCFC has several exciting young forwards coming off the bench right now. This includes summer signings like Talles Magno and Thiago Andrade, none of which have the MLS experience or the veteran leadership that H\u00e9ber can bring to the squad. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It might be tough to ask much of the 30-year-old striker coming off an ACL tear. However, Delia has shown he\u2019s willing to run H\u00e9ber out there even for a few minutes at a time. So let&#8217;s see him take his opportunities and contribute to the offense going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"anhpDD3MSfRTC-8Dam1a7w\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/1155632263\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'anhpDD3MSfRTC-8Dam1a7w',sig:'dvpHNOV-XrKsv1vdagq-ApyFsbxeCM29mDHQ5aHr8bY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1155632263',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The possible return of Rodr\u00edguez and H\u00e9ber Rodr\u00edguez goes down against New England Tough night in New England. pic.twitter.com\/AHnjAPOr0r &mdash; New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) September 12, 2021 EDITORIAL &#8211; One of the more disappointing moments from NYCFC\u2019s Sept. 11 loss to Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution other than the final 2-1 scoreline was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3973,"featured_media":37405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[119,4],"tags":[3112,1965,2722,3292,4451],"class_list":["post-37359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mls","category-nycfc","tag-heber","tag-hudson-river-derby","tag-mls-eastern-conference","tag-ronny-deila","tag-santiago-rodriguez"],"modified_by":"Raheem Bashir, Site Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3973"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37359\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}