NYC FC Knocked Out of MLS Playoffs By Toronto FC

(Photo by Double G Media)

Nearly 30 thousand fans came out to Yankee Stadium for New York City FC’s home playoff debut. While history was still being made, the fans quickly did not have much to cheer about in the Bronx as the team fell 5-0 to Toronto FC.

Sunday’s loss was NYC FC’s first home loss since June 2.

It got ugly quick for NYCFC, as Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco scored two of his three goals within the first 20 minutes. The first goal came in the 5^th minute of the game.

Giovinco then scored off a penalty kick in the 19^th minute of the game, silencing NYCFC’s fans.

But it was Jozy Altidore’s goal towards the end of the first half that you could argue not only took the heart out of NYCFC’s fans, but the team as well.

“It’s a bad experience, we lost two games.  Hopefully next season we will be more ready to fighting in the playoffs,” team captain David Villa said about the loss after the game.

An odd quote from a team captain in any sport, considering two things you learn in sports 101,  to give it your all in every game, it does not matter if it’s a playoff game or a regular season one, and two NYCFC has some two big name veterans on the team in Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo is best known for being on Italy’s World Cup Championship team back in 2006.

However, it was blown chances that pushed NYC FC back.   Pirlo, failed to take advantage of numerous first-half set pieces that could have easily turned the game right around.

With the loss, NYC FC’s season is over and as the team and head coach Patrick Vieira say, losing the way they did Sunday night at home is what hurts the most.

“The fans responded to what I wanted from them.  They were fantastic,” said Vieira.

“When we arrived to the Stadium there were around 100 people outside welcoming the players…. We wanted to give something back to the fans,” he continued.

As for Toronto, they now move on to face Montreal in the finals.  While New York looks to come back with a bang next season and put on an even better show for the fans.

“The only thing I can promise to them [the fans,] is that we will come back next season with more determination, more anger and do better than we did this year,” Vieira said for his team.