UPDATE: New York City FC is gearing up for the MLS playoffs as they confront a pressing scoring drought. The team will clash with Charlotte FC in Game 1 of their best-of-three series on October 31, 2023, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Alonso Martínez and Hannes Wolf have been pivotal for NYCFC, contributing a staggering 28 of the team’s 56 goals in the regular season. However, the pair’s recent struggles have raised alarms among fans and analysts alike. Over the last four matches, NYCFC has netted only four goals, with three scored in a single victory against the Red Bulls on September 27.
Martínez, who leads the team with 17 goals, has not scored in his last three outings, while Wolf has also gone silent since September 17. Despite the pressure, Martínez remains calm, stating, “It’s just been the last few games that I haven’t been able to score. The goals will come.” He attributed his recent dip to a busy schedule and time spent with the Costa Rican national team.
Head coach Pascal Jansen echoed this sentiment, downplaying concerns about the scoring trend. “You always will have one or two top targets who make your goals in every team. Our team is no different,” Jansen remarked. He emphasized the need for the rest of the squad to step up, particularly in scoring from set pieces and enhancing the impact of other wingers.
“The first goal mentality is something that is part of our strategy in general,” Jansen added, underlining the critical importance of scoring first in the playoff context.
Navigating their playoff journey, NYCFC aims to break historical patterns, seeking their first win against Charlotte on the road. The team will benefit from Charlotte being without star player Wilfried Zaha, who is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the season finale.
While Wolf has been dealing with “physical issues” and missed practice on Friday, he has not been listed on the injury report, and the team confirmed he traveled with NYCFC to Charlotte. The countdown to kickoff is on as the team prepares for what could be a defining moment in their playoff campaign.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as NYCFC confronts these challenges head-on. Can they overcome their scoring slump and secure a crucial win against Charlotte FC? Tune in to find out!
