For the first time in 60 days, New York City FC returned to the pitch for a Major League Soccer match, defeating the Columbus Crew 2-1.
NYCFC was missing nine players due to injury, but still found a way to pick up their sixth win of the year and third away win, completing the regular-season sweep over the Crew.
All eyes were on debutant Bénie Traoré, New York's newest Designated Player from FC Basel. He started up top and went 55 minutes in what was a quiet performance, totaling just two touches in the Crew's box and with zero shot attempts.
"It was a tough one for him with an away game at Columbus, one of the better teams in the league, especially in possession," said head coach Pascal Jansen following the win. "Seeing him out there competing, trying to find the right chemistry we've been working on in the past few weeks, and finding the rhythm of what it takes to play in MLS — that was interesting."
The 23-year-old may have had a tame debut, but his 25 goals and 12 assists in 79 games for FC Basel prove that he can help fill the void temporarily left by Alonso Martínez. In addition to being a striker, Traoré can also play on both wings.
