Focus shifts to Saturday’s game against San Jose
It was always going to be a difficult task for the Bleu-blanc-noir, Wednesday night in New York. After all, through nine games at Yankee Stadium this year before yesterday’s matchup, New York City FC had won eight and tied the other against Atlanta United FC. Add the fact that they’ve only conceded four goals in that span, and you have yourself the best home team in MLS.
“We were on a good sequence, but we were beaten by a team that was ultimately better than us tonight,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. “It keeps us grounded and shows us that we’re not invincible. We need to continue working despite our recent successes. We have a big game on Saturday. If we win that one, we erase Wednesday’s loss.”
The Impact was on a sequence of five wins in six games, including winning four straight, before Wednesday’s matchup. It was a series of wins that saw the Bleu-blanc-noir climb in the table, all the way into the sixth and last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“Despite our recent form, I don’t expect us to win every game, and I knew this one would be complicated, even if I had started the same team,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We have an important game at home this Saturday. I hope the players recuperate well. Losing 3-0 is never easy, but it shouldn’t at all erase what was done before. I didn’t see a team without a collective spirit on Wednesday.”
Saturday’s game is against the San Jose Earthquakes, who currently sit last in the Western Conference. It will also mark the fourth and last 25th anniversary thematic game, which will celebrate the club’s international connections (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). With the Bleu-blanc having last lost at home against the LA Galaxy on May 21, it’ll be a game the team will feel confident going in to.
“It’s disappointing when you lose and you don’t get the result you want, but at the same time, as professionals, we need to start preparing for another game on Saturday, and it’s a home game,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “Being at home gives us a little bit more of a boost of energy. It’s a game that we feel we should be able to put our stamp on in a right way.”
