Late Game Equalizer Keeps The Firsts’ Playoffs Alive

 

          

           The NYIFC Firsts returned to their familiar stomping grounds and hosted Block FC on 29APR22. The match could be summarized as a night of “justs”. Shots just missed their mark, passes either had just too much sauce or the touches just lacked control. It was difficult for the Lions to get a rhythm and play the free-flowing football they enjoy due to Block’s performance, though it was more theatrical than sporting. NYIFC opened up the scoring by Edvin Loefgren. Block answered this with two unanswered. Brendan Martin equalized it towards the end of the second half and Adam Lee celebrated with the Pride CSG. 

          The end of the match was punctuated by manager and goalkeeper Gary Philpott picking up a second yellow for dissent and earning him his third red card for the season. This will keep him out of a key fixture against NY Ukrainians, who lost the night after against NYPD, that could decide playoff spots on a less than ideal matchday, Mother’s Day. Though NYIC may not be happy with coming home with only a point, it's more ideal to equalize than be the two who concedes the equalizer.

Goals: Edvin Loefgren, Brendan Martin

Interview:

The Pride: Obviously you all would have loved to take home 3 in this past fixture, but equalizing late is more optimal than conceding late. Based on some of the theatrics from the opposition, did your side find it hard to find rhythm in the match?

Gary Philpott: Absolutely, in the opening 10 minutes and near the end of the second we played the style of game that we wanted. Unfortunately, with the start-stop nature of the match, we got sucked into playing their style of football instead of what we practice week in and week out.

P: You picked up your 3rd Red card for the season, it seems like the refs this season are quicker to flash a card for dissent than some of the dangerous physicality. Is this going to shape how you and the team play the rest of the season?

GP: At the end of the day, only we can control how we act and ultimately, WE need to control our emotions, regardless of the calls on the field. As pointed out, this is my 3rd red of the season, so I’m definitely guilty of this and I should probably do a better job of controlling my emotions. I play and manage on the edge, and, at times, I cross that line. I’m a passionate person and this means a lot to me, but I need to remember that there are deeper consequences of that, the Reserves are now out a CB and the Firsts will be out a GK, which is challenging as we near the end of the season.

P: I appreciate the candidness and personal accountability. I sympathize with the frustration on the field. You all aren’t getting paid millions out there, so an injury affects more than the rest of the season, but personal finances and professional work.

GP: I mean, sure, the officiating can be tough to deal with. They aren’t highly paid professionals either and the last thing they need is someone yelling in their face. We ultimately get so passionate about bad calls because while we aren’t playing in the Premier League or whatever, this means a lot to us. We want fair calls like everyone else and the highs and lows hit us like any other level.

P: Speaking of the suspension, with that and Mother’s Day coming up, do you foresee any major shake ups in the lineup in the upcoming fixture?

GP: Ya know, there could be problems, but this is lower league football, people have responsibilities outside of the match, so these problems aren’t unique to us.

P: Last time you all played the Ukrainians, you won 2:0. Do you have any plans for the opposition or has so much changed since the October feature?

GP: Honestly, things are so different from Oct. Obviously, each side has key people but both teams have changed significantly since the winter break, basically making it a brand-new season. Ultimately, it’s going to be 11 v 11 and we’ll see who wants it more. At this stage of the season and where we all are on the table; each match has the same significance as a Cup Final.

P: My final question, obviously last match was less than ideal for the brand-new signing of Jan Washausen, former Bundesliga professional. How has his arrival impacted the team?

GP: Jesus, I have to start at the cellular level. He’s such a class guy, fundamentally great and immediately gelled with the team. He jumped right into the group chats and felt like he’s been a member from the start. He also really embodies what kind of culture we’re building here. As a talent, you can definitely tell he played professionally, but he’s incredibly humble. That kind of skill increases the level of everyone else on the training ground. He helps gives the younger players insight and everyone else wants to prove themselves to that kind of pedigree.

There are three matches left in the season and the Boys in Black and Gold are running out of runway to land in second or third. As previously stated, they will be without their first-choice keeper on the 08MAY22, KO 10AM. The NY Ukrainians will play host as the Lions travel to McCarren Park in Brooklyn.

Around the League:

Missile FC:

Previous Match: DNP

Next Match: Missile FC v. FC Japan, KO 08MAY22 @ 17:00

FC Japan:

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Next Match: Missile FC v. FC Japan, KO 08MAY22 @ 17:00