NEW YORK – The winless streak is at five games after a 1-0 loss to the Portland Timbers at Yankee Stadium Sunday night, but New York City FC coach Jason Kreis is encouraged.
“With the performances in the last two matches, it shows me that I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Kreis said.
Hamstrung by injuries to five players, NYCFC also hasn’t gotten many kindly bounces of late, especially in key situations.
The biggest example came in the 79th minute on Dairon Asprilla’s first career MLS goal, when the Colombian’s shot took a deflection off defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe and looped into the net.
“I thought our defense played well. [Portland] had limited chances,” New York City FC goalkeeper Josh Saunders said. “You take that away, they had limited chances and we created a lot.”
Conversely, Mehdi Ballouchy nearly had his second goal in as many games when a deflected Portland clearance fell at his feet in the 31st minute. But the Moroccan midfielder’s shot from 14 yards was blocked by Nat Borchers, resulting in a corner.
“That’s just the way it is with this game, it’s cruel,” Ballouchy said. “We have to stay positive and we will.”
Kreis, who was already down regular starters David Villa (hamstring), Mix Diskerud (ankle), Jason Hernandez (calf) and Josh Williams (adductor strain), was forced to make his first change in the 35th minute when Sebastian Velasquez replaced Tony Taylor, who was stretchered off with an apparent severe knee injury.
“The initial signs are not good,” Kreis said. “It’s the knee and it’s possible ligament damage.”
There were no heads hung after conceding yet another late goal. The team continued to press for goals late and the best chance came to Khiry Shelton in the 88th minute. But the rookie’s hesitation proved costly.
“I found myself in the box, I looked up and saw the 'keeper froze for a second,” Shelton said. “I took a little bit too long and just shot it. I was trying to go lower corner, but he was able to block it. I was just trying to pick a pocket and put the ball there.”
Shelton was unlucky, which is a word Kreis chooses when describing his team at the moment.
“I have to believe that over the course of the season, we’ll get some luck on our side and this will all level out,” Kreis said.
While the results haven’t gone their way, the morale in the NYCFC locker room is still high.
“I think it’s really important that we try to recognize that right now the results aren’t going our way, but the performances are,” Kreis said. “I have to believe – I’ve been in the league long enough to know – that if the performances continue like this, that the results are right around the corner.”
