New York City FC have been lauded for their offense, especially given the emergence of Alonso Martinez as the team’s leading goal-scorer. However, the team has had an impressive defensive record, led by players with less of a public profile and more of a blue-collar mindset. Two of those players are Justin Haak and Kevin O’Toole who have helped City be one of the better defensive teams in the Eastern Conference, with a goals-allowed record in 2024 that matches Supporters Shield winners Inter Miami.
“Last year we were also very good defensively,” said Haak when asked about the team’s defensive record. “We’ve always had strong defensive players on the team but its definitely something that us guys in the back pride ourselves on and do our part back there to not let the other team score.”
Much has been made in 2024 of the high-profile defensive lapses of NYCFC and how much they have seemingly relied on goalkeeper Matt Freese to bail them out of difficult situations. That only tells part of the story as City have worked hard to make sure their structure is one that is solid and gives the offense their chances to do what is necessary to win games. While much isn’t usually made of the fundamentals, Haak and O’Toole have been a rotating cast in the backline that have made sure the team is always in the game.
Much of the progress the team has made is down to competition. Early in the campaign it appeared that Thiago Martins and Birk Risa were the main options. Strahinja Tanasijevic was also in the mix, getting his minutes when they presented themselves. However, in recent weeks leading to the end of the season, Justin Haak has emerged as a major option for Nick Cushing, who has lauded the player in the past, even when he wasn’t seeing minutes on the team.
“Everyone here wants to see the team succeed,” said Haak. “Whatever way we can do that is what we are looking to do. I would say it’s good competition.”
The situation in the wingback position is also one that has been a rotating cast of characters. Going into the season it was Mitja Ilenic who came in to be the major player on one side but guys like Tayvon Gray and Malachi Jones have made their presence felt. One of those players who has been a quiet but effective contributor is Kevin O’Toole. The 25 year-old Montclair, New Jersey native has made 28 starts for City this year and proven to be one of the more reliable players for coach Cushing.
“It’s really 11 guys on the field that do the defending,” said O’Toole about how strong the team has been in those positions. “A lot of the work gets done up the field to prevent the ball from getting in our half and I know those high-pressing moments can create chances for us. We really take pride in that. Especially in the playoffs, it’s really about limiting the opposition’s chances.”
That opposition is FC Cincinnati, which City play tonight at TQL Stadium. O’Toole knows just how difficult such an opponent can be, especially in a playoff situation. While it isn’t a knockout or usual aggregate home-and-away scenario, this best-of-three format still provides challenges for defenders who don’t want to give up much with such few moments to define the series.
“The whole game is a game of errors and mistakes,” said O’Toole on managing the moment of playoff stress. “If you limit your errors you’ll have a better chance of winning. It’s been our philosophy all season to press high and recover the ball up the field. It’s ingrained in us and our identity now. We want to keep that philosophy going through the playoffs.”
City face FC Cincinnati in game one of the MLS Cup Playoffs best of three first round tonight at TQL Stadium. The team will return to Citi Field on Saturday for game two with homes of winning tonight and completing their first round sweep in front of the home fans.
photo by Jordan Bank