NYCFC targets initial playoff exit victory against Philadelphia

NYCFC Hosts Philadelphia Union in Knockout Round

New York City FC (NYCFC) will be hosting the Philadelphia Union in the knockout round of the MLS playoffs on Wednesday, aiming to secure their spot in the next round. The Bronx-based team clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference after defeating the Philadelphia Union 3-1 in the regular season finale.

The match started on a promising note for NYCFC, with Maxime Chanot scoring the first goal for the team in the eighth minute, giving them an early 1-0 lead. This was the first time NYCFC had a lead in the first 15 minutes of a match since David Villa scored in the 15th minute of their win at Toronto on Aug. 12th.

The Philadelphia Union, on the other hand, have struggled in their recent games. They lost back-to-back games before the knockout round and ended their regular season with three losses in five games. The Union have also never won against NYCFC at home, and their last visit to Yankee Stadium resulted in a 3-1 defeat.

Domenec Torrent, NYCFC's head coach, emphasized the importance of maintaining a level-headed demeanor to win on Wednesday. He stated that against Philly, NYCFC has one opportunity, and keeping calm is crucial. Torrent also mentioned that it is difficult to win in 90 minutes, emphasizing the importance of mentality.

NYCFC's ability to create chances and score early was a key factor in their victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday. However, the team has struggled in recent matches, going winless in 10 of their last 12. Cory Burke and Borek Dockal had an apparent disagreement during the Philadelphia Union match, leading to Burke being benched at halftime and replaced by Ilsinho.

Domenec Torrent plans to use a similar game plan for Wednesday's knockout and beyond. NYCFC will need to capitalize on their early lead and keep their composure to secure a victory and advance to the next round.

The match will be a highly anticipated event, with both teams eager to prove their worth. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter in the Bronx on Wednesday.