NYCFC Midfielder Jonathan Shore Focused on 'Three Finals' in Playoff Push
NYCFC's 19-year-old midfielder Jonathan Shore says the team sees its three remaining games in the Eastern Conference playoff race as finals.
New York City FC's young midfielder Jonathan Shore believes his side face "three finals" as they fight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
With the regular season entering its final three weeks, NYCFC sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, four points behind ninth-placed arch-rivals New York Red Bulls.
Pascal Jansen's side came away from Orlando City with a 2-2 draw at the weekend, and Shore, who scored the equaliser in stoppage time, kept his team's playoff hopes alive.
Speaking ahead of the crucial home game against Atlanta United, Shore urged his teammates to adopt a playoff mentality:
"We know we have three finals ahead of us. It feels like the playoffs have started early, because we need to win all three of these games. Whatever happens, we have to leave everything on the pitch. We have to fight harder than our opponent and bring our energy. As a team we have to be fully focused and ready to give everything."
The 19-year-old Shore, who has made 51 MLS appearances and scored 2 goals over the past two seasons, said the experience he has gained has prepared him for this decisive stretch:
"The experience you gain at first-team level gives you confidence. You keep getting better. I think I have matured physically over the last two years as well. All the minutes I have had are helping me. This is only the beginning and I have a lot of work to do, but this experience definitely gives me confidence."
Atlanta United, beaten 3-2 by Chicago Fire in their last outing, are 9 points adrift of ninth place, leaving their playoff chances in need of a miracle.
Key Players:
New York City FC – Jonathan Shore: By scoring the equaliser in the 90+9th minute against Orlando on Saturday, Shore became the under-20 player with the latest game-tying or go-ahead goal in MLS history.
Atlanta United – Miguel Almiron: Almiron created three chances against Chicago and provided the assist for the fourth-minute goal, and he has created 43 chances in total since the World Cup break, placing him among the league's best in that category.
Preview Notes:
Despite the advantage of playing at home, NYCFC have won only one of their last 14 regular-season games (7 draws, 6 defeats). The New York side are also winless in their last six home games (3 draws, 3 defeats), equalling the longest home winless run in club history.
Atlanta United, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last five regular-season away games (3 wins, 2 draws). They have also lost only one of their last seven meetings with NYCFC (1 win, 5 draws).