The headline was that Andre Blake stood on his head to preserve a clean sheet and three points after Alejandro Bedoya scored a 63rd minute goal. But it took more than the performances of two of the Union’s biggest stars to keep NYCFC scoreless on Thursday.
The spine of the defense with Mark McKenzie, Jack Elliott on the back line and Jose Andres Martinez at the bottom of the diamond was mostly sharp on the day while Jamiro Monteiro and Brenden Aaronson did a lot of work on both sides of the ball.
On paper, City had the statistical advantage in nearly every category but up until a couple of golden opportunities snuffed out by Blake late in the game, the Union was able to play their game even if it was slightly less frenzied in the Florida heat and humidity.