3 things we learned from NYCFC's loss to Deportivo Toluca | OneFootball

On Tuesday night, New York City FC played against Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club in the final game of Phase One in the Leagues Cup.  The Boys in Blue had already lost to Club Puebla in the first fixture, making the team’s elimination highly likely regardless of a positive result against Toluca.  Plus, the 2-0 win over Club León was unfortunately not helpful.

However, nothing mattered in the end, for NYCFC lost 2-1.  The Bronx side put up a fight, but failed to score another goal after a stronger offense in the second half.

The loss officially eliminated the Boys in Blue from the summer tournament.  One cannot help but wonder whether the team would have won against Puebla if a stronger lineup had been put out in that first game.  Still, the loss against Toluca would have probably been enough to eliminate them since only four teams from each league move on.  Fans will know for sure once Phase One is complete.

There is plenty to talk about the match, though.  Here are three things we learned from NYCFC’s loss to Deportivo Toluca.

Concerns about Tayvon Gray

NYCFC knew that they needed to play well defensively if they wanted a chance to win.  Hence, Pascal Jansen started Tayvon Gray since he is the more defensive right-back.  He was playing well, but unfortunately suffered an injury on a 50-50 clash with a Toluca player.

At first, it was clear he was hurt, but he stayed in the match.  But his defensive work declined significantly, making him a liability on the pitch.  So, in the 31st minute, he had to be substituted out.

Later on, Gray was seen with ice on his upper back leg, making it easy to assume that he suffered a muscle injury.  Hopefully, it is not bad, because NYCFC needs all the help that they can get in the backline with Thiago Martins already out for weeks.  At least Mitja Ilenič is a great right-back, but he is stronger offensively.  It would be better for the team to have both players available.

NYCFC’s different halves were confusing

In the first half, Jansen opted to go with a more defensive lineup, and rightfully so.  Toluca is fantastic in the final third, and the head coach needed to strategize to stop them.

Yet, NYCFC scored their lone goal via Alonso Martínez in the first half.  They still struggled offensively and were outplayed by the Liga MX team.  Plus, they gave up the two goals in the first 45 minutes as well.

Then, as the second half progressed, Jansen made changes where the Pigeons became more offensive-minded.  They were better in the final third, but the issue was that the players could not score a second goal.  At the same time, they did not give up a third despite being weaker defensively.

That is what makes this match a little confusing.  NYCFC should have done better with finding the back of the net, especially in the second half.  But instead, they were kept out of the goal.

VAR controversy

Toluca’s second goal, scored by Paulinho, was initially called offside.  But, like every goal, it went to VAR review, and the Leagues Cup uses the virtual offside line.  It is not the automatic line, though, which enables better accuracy upon review.  As such, the virtual offside line will not be perfect.

After review, the offside call was reversed, and the goal was given, subsequently putting NYCFC down a goal.  The decision, though, was controversial.

When it comes to VAR, the overturning of a decision should be clear and obvious.  Instead, NYCFC and Toluca had to wait multiple minutes for the decision to be made.  That alone should have caused the original call to stand.  Plus, when looking at the viewpoints on the TV, it is difficult to definitively say that the call should have been onside.

NYCFC was on the wrong side of VAR.  Maybe, the call was correct, but again, clear and obvious should always be the reason to overturn anything.