Last night NYCFC lost to the Seattle Sounders 3-1, extending our winless run to seven consecutive games.

Strong Start

Very uncharacteristically of NYC this season, we came out very strong. The first 17 minutes were some pretty quality football. It’s possible that we had more shots on goal in those first 20 minutes than we’ve had in many full games.

The team showed a real resilience and desire to win which was a joy to watch. The stadium was buzzing, maybe it was our night.

But then, like most of our hopes and dreams, NYC was crushed by a against-the-run-of-play sublime finish from Mr. Obafemi Martins.

Obafemi Martins & Dempsey

At times I wonder if Martins should be playing in a better league than the MLS. Whatever the case, he’s here, and he’s awesome.

His pace, his willingness to run powerfully at defenders, and his impressive finishing ability make Obafemi one of the best, if not the best, strikers in our league. It’s of no surprise to me that he was the cause of our seemingly inevitable downfall last night.

While Obafemi was a duracell battery, Dempsey’s play last night was unsettlingly lethargic. We’ve seen this on countless occasions with the USMNT. Dempsey has such quality within him, but he only really seems to turn it on when a player picks him out, rather than making his own chances. It’s helpful that he’s paired with Martins, otherwise he’d be much less effective. True, he managed a goal and an assist last night, but aside from those moments of brilliance he was quite anonymous.

David Villa

Perhaps one of the most beautiful moments at Yankee stadium this season was the substitution of our 33-year-old DP, David Villa.

As he walked out from the bench and awaited a stoppage in play, Yankee stadium erupted. “Villa! Villa! Villa” the crowd echoed in unison. To hear almost every person in the stadium screaming his name was an experience to behold.

It’s clear that the fans love him. After a night of misery, the return of David Villa from injury is a very welcome return indeed.

The Night Of Misery

As we’re said before, a slump in form is okay. But this season is quickly becoming a shitshow. We’re a few more losses from going from a team in bad form to just a very bad team.

It’s really incredible to see how many people are showing up for a team that keeps losing, but one has to wonder at one point will it be too much to bare.

Shelton has been given chance after chance to prove himself on the big stage, and although he is learning, his game is faltering and is adding very little to our attack.

Mix is finally turning but his distribution is often poor, either putting too much or too little on the pass, or just simply choosing the wrong pass in that situation.

We could go on with each player, but the real bitch is that there are simple tactical issues that just aren’t being fixed. What the fuck?

Take, for example, our positioning. Watch a goal kick taken by Josh Saunders. Our entire team is on one side of the field, bunched up like a mediocre high school varsity team. Why is it that we sometimes see three players next to each other and no one on the opposite wing? When attacking this is detrimental as hell. We make horrible use of our space, and that’s saying a lot considering we’re playing on a goddamn baseball field.

On To The Next One

Well, we play the Red Bulls.

Although the Red Bulls recently lost, it’s painfully obvious that they’re a far better soccer team than we are. Better organized, better coached, more quality overall.

But it is a derby match. Anything can happen. If we were to beat the Red Bulls in Jersey next weekend, a lot of our shitty play might be forgotten.

Death to the Red Bulls.

On to the next one.