Windy City Woes: NYCFC settle for draw with Chicago

New York City FC continued their four-game road stretch with a trip to the Windy City to face a struggling Chicago Fire. But NYCFC couldn't generate much offensive momentum, and drew 0-0 for the first time this season.

Even more concerning, New York City lost another player early to injury for the fourth straight match after Andrés Perea was subbed off in the 14th minute. NYCFC had eight shots but only placed one on target, a Santiago Rodríguez free kick that Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady easily handled late in the match.

Nonetheless, New York City earned a point on the road, and remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with two more away matches in the coming week.

Offensive woes emerge again

NYCFC flashed their offensive talent multiple times this season, with big wins against San Jose and Orlando City. But they have also disappeared in some road matches, scoring just eight goals in 11 away games.

Head Coach Nick Cushing kept New York City's offense intact after last week's 2-1 loss to Austin, with Santiago Rodríguez on the left wing, Hannes Wolf on the right wing, and Alonso Martínez as the striker.

But Martínez was left stranded up top, and had a team-low 26 touches. He completed all his passes and won 75% of his duels, but his only shot of the night went wide. Rodríguez and Wolf failed to bring the intensity they're so good at doing and could not make accurate, crisp passes.

One shot on target against one of the bottom-five defensive teams in the Eastern Conference is concerning. If NYCFC want to climb up the table and lock in home advantage in the playoffs, they'll need to find a way to win on the road even when the offense doesn't show up.

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Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

Defense is a highlight

A heavily rotated New York City backline silenced Chicago's leading goal-scorer, Hugo Cuypers. The Fire placed two shots on target, but neither troubled goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Strahinja Tanasijević had his best game in an NYCFC kit, making three clearances and winning all of his ground duels. Thiago Martins captained the defense with two blocks, two recoveries, and one interception.

Mitja Ilenič almost scored his first goal for New York City in the second half, rattling his shot off the right post in what was an Anton Tinnerholm-esque shot attempt.

Off the woodwork 👀 pic.twitter.com/Tf869xrlSh

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) July 14, 2024

With injuries to Kevin O'Toole, Birk Risa, and Tayvon Gray, NYCFC's rotated backline helped Matt Freese earn his fifth clean sheet of the season. The same backline may have to be used again, with two matches in the next seven days.

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Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

Christian McFarlane impresses in first MLS start

Perhaps the game's biggest positive was Christian McFarlane, who made his first-ever MLS start. McFarlane made his MLS debut in the 2-3 loss to Columbus on June 14, and now has a full 90-minute performance under his belt.

McFarlane filled in at left-back for the injured O'Toole and had a solid game, getting high up the pitch to get involved in the offense and track back to help defensively.

The 17-year-old completed 78% of his passes, playing three balls into the final third and had one touch in Chicago's box. Defensively, McFarlane won two duels and had one recovery.

Cushing praised McFarlane's performance, saying that "he showed his quality, [both] physical quality and his technical quality. He showed that potential [that] he has to be a top left back anywhere in the world."

After the match, McFarlane spoke on how it felt to make his first MLS start. “I'm grateful for the opportunity," he said. "I think I played pretty well for my first start, just touching the ball, making the right decisions, making the right passes. [Overall], I think it was good.”

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Hudson River BlueAndrew Leigh