The Easter Conference Semifinal was set at Subaru Park. A rivalry with history returned to Pennsylvania for a season-defining game once again. The Philadelphia Union got the job done early against the Chicago Fire and earned an off window ahead of the semifinal match. The story was different for New York City FC. Their playoff series extended to 3 games. While they advanced, they lost 3 players in the process. Of those 3, one was the driving force behind the team’s playoff run.

One for the books  

The last meeting between the teams in 2022 saw Philadelphia win the conference, putting an end to New York City FC’s championship defense that season. The Union held the upper hand this time around, having won the Supporters’ Shield and obtained home advantage as a result. The dominance shown against the Chicago Fire suggested that a similar outcome was possible. Especially knowing that your rival lost key components ahead of the match.

New York City FC had no time to dwell on its misfortunes. They had to turn the page and continue their path to the MLS Cup. It might have been the perfect storm to give Philadelphia the advantage on paper, but the game plan was already in motion for New York City to make its weakness its biggest strength.

The challenge was to set up the midfield. If done right, the missing piece up front. The task was left to Jonathan Shore. Despite his age, he has impressed the team this season and was chosen to help out Maxi Moralez and Kevin O’Toole in midfield. Many expected Hanes Wolf to play as the ‘False 9’, but Nico Fernandez was given that role. The backline remained untouched, with Thiago Martins and Matt Freece calling the shots.

Both teams traded scoring chances within the first 20 minutes of the match. Nico Fernandez missed the target on his goal-scoring opportunity. Bruno Damiani made sure that Matt Freese knew Philadelphia could strike at any moment with a good individual play. Nevertheless, Philadelphia was not playing with confidence. From misplaced passes to unnecessary tackles that stopped key plays. It wasn’t the best night for the hosts. Ironically, New York was also feeling Alonso’s absence. They had control and a good link-up playing style, but not having a proper finisher bactracked the majority of the plays. 

Given the tone of the match, things were bound to be decided by a difference maker on either side. Damiani showed glimpses for Philadelphia, but as I said before, things were not falling into place on a collective level for them.

New York City FC would see Maxi Moralez step up once again to put the team on his back. His resurgence has been the story in this playoff run. His work ethic to cover multiple areas of the field against Charlotte and against Philadelphia paved the way for New York City’s victory. The midfielder scored the only goal of the match with a key run from behind. His goal marked his 4th goal in 4 playoff matchups against the Philadelphia Union. The midfielder continues to prove that age is just a number.

Philadelphia had its moments as well, but Matt Freece is just on another level. The goalkeeper continues to be key not only in club, but in country as well. His interventions against Philadelphia are the main reason New York City FC never lost the lead. The last 10 minutes of the match saw the home side attack more consistently. Two game-defining moments saw Freese be in the right place at the right time. First, a goal-line clearance, and then a stoppage-time fingertip save to seal the win for New York City FC.

However, the credit also goes to Thiago Martins and Tayvon Gray. Both players not only held back the Union when they tried to attack, but also became key assets defending set pieces. In general lines, the team played smart, but their lack of finishing can have negative consequences in the Conference final. New York City lost important players, but the game at Subaru Park can suggest the team could go all the way to the MLS Cup final.

The team now focuses on the match against Inter Miami CF. Having Aiden O’Neil back from suspension gives New York City FC more choices to build up ahead of Saturday’s match. The most recent game didn’t end well for New York City FC. But if something was learned against Philadelphia, it is that you learn from your mistakes. Concept that can be applied to the Union after the outcome of the game.