Saturday’s season opener against D.C. United at Audi Field was a mixed bag and when the 90 minutes were up, it felt like more on-field anguish would define NYCFC’s season again. High pressing and loads of energy set the tone for the opening 15 minutes of the match. It didn’t take long for Taty Castellanos to find the back of the net after a floored cross from Mr. Reliable: Anton Tinnerholm.
The energy then dissipated as quickly as it came. United were slowly creeping into the game and the midfield duo of James Sands and Keaton Parks failed to establish any meaningful spells of possession.