New York City FC’s players know what’s at stake during Saturday’s meeting with Charlotte FC, according to Pascal Jansen.
The two teams meet at Yankee Stadium on Saturday in Game 2 of the Best-of-3 Series in Round One of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. New York City boast a 1-0 series lead thanks to Alonso Martínez’s wonderful solo goal on Tuesday night and will be hopeful of clinching the series when they take to the field in the Bronx this weekend.
“They [Charlotte] know what’s at stake, but the same goes for us; we know what’s at stake as well,” Jansen said. “If we get the job done in Game 2, it will only take two games, which is supported by our mentality throughout the season; that game-by-game approach.
“That doesn’t change going into this game. The one thing I do want to mention is that our game in possession has to be clean over two halves, and not just in the first half like it was on Tuesday.
“[We need] to have a better balance throughout the game. That’s something we have to be aware of, and it will help us maintain good control.”
New York City’s head coach also reflected on the insights and lessons taken from Tuesday’s victory, as well as his side’s preparations ahead of Saturday.
“It starts with the same mindset that we had going into Game 1—fully aware that we’re able to beat the opponent, Charlotte in this case, in a way that suits our style,” he said. “Because that’s what we try to establish every game, to play the game the way we like to play it.
“We also respect the opponent, of course, and are aware of their plans and intentions, but we must be ready to adapt and be flexible in certain situations so we can control the game in and out of possession, and that was the case in the first half.
“There are good lessons from the first half and from the second half, because our game in possession changed. We weren’t as clean in possession as we were in the first half, but we had to rely more on our defensive structure, which was pretty solid throughout the game.”
The Dutch head coach is also excited to witness another “electric” home crowd at Yankee Stadium.
“Now they’re coming to our crib, as [Defender] Tayvon [Gray] mentioned, in The Bronx,” he said. “It’s going to be electric. What I’ve seen over the [course of the] season is that when we play in The Bronx, it’s intense, but that’s how it should be, and we enjoy that. Hopefully the atmosphere will be there, the fans will go crazy for the team, and we’ll get the job done.”
Charlotte will be boosted by the return of Wilfried Zaha following his suspension in Game 1.
The former Crystal Palace and Manchester United winger recorded double figures in both goals and assists during the MLS regular season, with Jansen well aware of what he brings to the table.
“We just have to be aware of the strengths and weaknesses he brings,” Jansen said of Zaha. “Obviously, we played him in Game 1 and Game 2 during the regular season.
“Wilfried is an important player for Charlotte — that’s something we’re aware of. So his return will have an impact, of course, and we’ll have our plan ready going into Game 2, fully aware of his qualities.”