NYCFC came into the MLS in 2015 and it seems like, in a certain sense, they are becoming the team to beat in the Big Apple. After the New York Red Bulls dominated for a very long time, the NYCFC squad came out to play last season. They had an average regular season but then dominated the playoffs, winning their first MLS Cup. Now, it is time for a repeat. Most analysts really did not consider this run possible, but NYCFC showed that they are ready to be a great team this year as well. Here are three reasons why NYCFC will win the 2022 MLS Cup.
Reasons why NYCFC are winning 2022 MLS Cup
Valentin Castellanos and a capable supporting cast
This season is the continuation of greatness for this Argentinian forward. Castellanos scored 23 goals in all competitions last year and he is already on 11 this season. Despite a slower start and the first goal being scored in the NYCFC's 6-0 win over RSL on the sixth matchday, Castellanos has added more and more over this period of time. In the game versus RSL, he became one of just 13 MLS players that have scored at least four goals in a single game. If Castellanos can hold on to his form, it could be a world of trouble for NYCFC's opponents come the time of the MLS Cup. However great Castellanos is this season, he is not the only one. There are other guys on the roster that have been playing well, too.
For instance, it was Alexander Callens that helped NYCFC get all the three points in their latest MLS game, by scoring the winner versus Minnesota. It was his third goal of the season, an impressive feat for a center back. Another impressive player for NYCFC this season has been Santiago Rodriguez. His seven assists are great and his fifth goal of the season secured them the all-important win away at home versus the New England Revolution. Guys like Thiago Andrade, Tales Magno, and Heber, to name a few, have also been impressive going forward. The point here is that Castellanos will be the primary concern of all opposing sides, yet NYCFC can hurt any team through any of these aforementioned players.
Best defense in the league
The only defense that is comparable to the NYCFC one right now is Philadelphia Union. Their defense also conceded 10 goals, but they have done it with just six clean sheets. Right now, NYCFC have nine on the season. Also, it is important to mention that out of the 10 goals conceded, over half of that came in two games. Toronto FC scored four in a single game when NYCFC won 5-4 and the Union scored two, beating the team from New York 2-0. That means that out of the 13 games played, NYCFC conceded four goals in 11 games. That is beyond impressive and it would be a great bet for them in the playoffs. Of course, the playoffs are a different beast, but stability and a great defense are a major reason why they won it last season.
Combined with that best defense, NYCFC also has a great midfield and a great attack, but it really all comes from the defensive line. The most impressive out of the lot has been Alexander Callens, but that is partly due to his goalscoring contributions. Defensively speaking, it was likely the goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who had nine clean sheets since the season began. One of those was a Man of the Match performance versus Sporting Kansas City, where Johnson saved everything going his way. He shares a lot of the glory with the likes of Callens and Keaton Parks, but the overall team defensive effort has been fantastic all season long.
Continuation of success
Like many sports in North America, the MLS can be topsy-turvy, season to season. Yet, since their introduction to the league in 2015, NYCFC has been playing some amazing football. Truth be told, they missed out on the postseason in their first year in the MLS, but since then, they have made all six postseason appearances. Unfortunately for them, it has not always gone their way. In 2019, they were the first seed in the East and finished the regular season six points above Atlanta. Then, in the playoffs, a 90th-minute Alejandro Pozuelo penalty took away their shot at winning their first title.
In 2021, however, NYCFC got their revenge on the entire league and showed they can make it past the quarterfinals, which is where they were stopped in four out of the five postseason appearances. The way they did it was gritty, defense-oriented, and twice through penalties, but the MLS Cup was theirs. Now, they likely do not want to give it away and that is what this season has shown. They have already shown consistency by never missing the postseason, so NYCFC likely wants to show consistency again by winning the MLS Cup twice in a row.
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