ORANGEBURG, N.Y. ā His scoring efficiency is remarkable. Of the eight shots he has put on frame, New York City FC winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi has seven goals.
The 24-year-old Libyan is arguably the best under-the-radar signing of the Major League Soccer offseason and heās given NYCFC that much needed second scoring option behind David Villa.
But is that strike rate even sustainable?
NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira doesnāt see why not.
āI think the games we played, the way we play suits him as well,ā Vieira said. āWhen you are in front of the goal and you have players like that, you know that they will create five and they will score three or four. This is good for us, especially the way we want to play the game.ā
The soft-spoken Tajouri-Shradi appreciates the attention, but he is uncomfortable with it. The focus, he insists, is not on his individual accomplishments in the past, itās about a massive showdown with Atlanta United Saturday (12:30 pm ET | TV & Streaming info) at Yankee Stadium.
āOf course itās very good for me, Iām very happy about that, but the focus is now on the Atlanta game,ā said Tajouri-Shradi, who scored a brace in a 3-0 win over Orlando City SC last Saturday. āWhat happened last week is gone. I must focus on the Atlanta game to make a good performance for me and for the team, of course.ā
Tajouri-Shradi credits his teammates for helping him immediately in the preseason, making the transition to a new league and country seamless.
āThe first day when I come here in preseason, the team made it very easy for me,ā he said. āThe team took me in and I felt very comfortable with this great team and with the coaching staff. From the first moment, it was a good feeling and I can now give this back.ā
It was in preseason that goalkeeper Sean Johnson said he first noticed the clinical quality of Tajouri-Shradiās magical left foot and his unabated work ethic.
āHeās a special player and Iāve said it since Day One heās a special attacking talent,ā he said. āItās not often you come across a player not only with his talent, but his mentality is just relentless. Itās just go, go, go and nothing fazes him. Iām glad heās on our side.ā
Vieira credited the teamās scouting department for recognizing a player that could thrive in NYCFCās system despite not showing the same scoring prowess with Austria Wien.
āHeās making a name for himself because heās working hard,ā Vieira said. āEvery time he has a chance, heās really composed and heās really calm in front of the goal. With the left foot, when he hits the target, nine times out of 10 he will score the goal.ā