A Wild Night in the Bronx
New York City FC hosted San Jose on Friday night in the Bronx and saw a second half full of goals, highlights, returns, and firsts. The 5-1 win was a statement that the club is back and deserves to be seen as one of the hottest teams in MLS right now.
The score was tied at halftime with neither team really displaying much quality but the second half started in a wide open game and Hannes Wolf scored early for the home side and the San Jose’s Amahl Pellegrino evening the score just three minutes later.
Right after it seemed San Jose might snatch a draw or even a win in the contest, Nick Cushing made changes that would alter the course of the game entirely.
It seemed simple, Alonso Martinez came on for Jovan Mijatovic and Malachi Jones replaced Jullian Fernandez. this moved Hannes wolf back to his favored right wing position. With these changes New York City stablized their attack and put the pressure back on San Jose to defend. The real change came with just sixteen minutes left in regulation. Maxi Moralez, who tore his ACL last September, made his return to the pitch and the effect was palpable. Over the next twenty three minutes, NYCFC scored four goals. Although Moralez only got one assit on them his pressence on the pitch for the team combined with deft, clinical finishing by Alonso Martinez turned a even game into a blowout.
May 31, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Alonso Martinez (16) celebrates his goal against San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper William Yarbrough (25) with midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (27) during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Santiago Rodriguez (10) celebrates his goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
San Jose had no answer for a midfield pairing of Santiago Rodriguez and Moralez. The two combined and created and fed, fed, fed, Martinez up top, who scored a hat trick and became the fastest man in club history to do so. He also was the first player ever to score a hat trick coming off the bench. It was a wild night an a complete turn around for the club many had written off early in the season.
Nick Cushing had nothing but praise post game for his returning star. “you could sit here now for the next five hours and talk about Maxi Moralez. Since I’ve been here, he is the greatest player to ever play for our football club. He’s had the biggest impact. He’s almost like having a coach on the field when he plays like he did tonight. It’s an absolute masterclass. I think you have certain players in the game that can literally just pick the game up and just put it in his pocket and just almost conduct the game like the conductor conducts the orchestra. He’s that guy, you know, on 70 minutes or whatever minute I put him in, I was frustrated because I thought the game is hanging on the balance. Tonight was masterclass vintage Maxi Moralez. He played like a 21-year-old. When we were in the locker room, we said he played like he’s 21. So important to us. When I was given the opportunity last year to bring him back, I sent the plane and the car and everything to pick him up to bring him. I’m so happy for him because he’s worked incredibly hard to get back to where he is.”
May 31, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (27) during the second half against the San Jose Earthquakes at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
New York City’s form of late has been outstanding winning the past five in a row and only losing once in the last eleven games. They have shot up the standings and are starting to gel as a team. They will now enjoy a week off to rest and rehab some injured players. when they return in two weeks against Columbus at home they will be riding high. The Crew will be a huge test for them to see if they can keep their streak alive.