Momentum in any sport, when lost, is often one of the toughest things to regain.
Newton’s Second Law of Motion, though, states that momentum lost is always equal to momentum gained.
But you did not come to the RNY FC page to learn about Physics from a genius: you came here to read about Rochester’s 1-1 draw with MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference second place side New England Revolution 2.
Speaking of Physics and forces, how about Caíque Luiz Santos da Purificação, who has proved to be an immovable object when it comes time for penalties.
RNY FC earned an extra point in the game thanks to the big Brazilian keeper, who saved the third Revs’ spot kick, as the visitors won 5-4 in kicks. It is the fourth win without a loss in 2022 for Rochester in penalties (three in the league, once in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup).
After its five-game unbeaten streak came to a crashing halt in the 90th minute last weekend, this could have been a tough spot for Rochester. RNY FC had to hit the road again, and had already lost 3-1 to New England Revolution 2 back in April.
But momentum in soccer is not the same as it is in the universe: it is sometimes finicky, and one save at a key moment can change it back in your favor.
Much like in the first match, RNY FC started the match well Saturday night, but this time, it was the visitors that saw that pressure turn to results, as Gibran Rayo took his left-footed chance with aplomb, beating Jacob Jackson at the near post in the 23rd minute to give Rochester a 1-0 lead.
From that point on, it was the Caique show for the rest of the first half, as the keeper came up with a couple big saves to keep his team in the lead. After the half, though, it was 15 minutes of sustained pressure on the visitors’ goal, and New England eventually found a breakthrough in the 61st minute.
It took a near-worldie to do it: left back José Ítalo Monteiro Fidelis dos Santos played in a beautifully-curved ball, and Ryan Aparecido Lima Cassiano powered a header that looped over Caique and into the net to pull the hosts even at 1-1.
RNY FC had two gilt-edged chances in the dying minutes to pick up all three points, but Jackson came to the rescue, making two big saves to send the contest to another set of spot kicks. We all know by now how those are going to end for RNY FC. He dove to make a save on Michel Costa da Silva’s third kick, and that was all it took: Rochester made all five of its kicks, and the visitors left town with two of the three points on offer.
Those two points moved RNY FC back into the top four of the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference table, two points clear of Toronto FC II in fifth (with a game in hand). The result also has Rochester to within a point of third place NYCFC (with a game in hand), as Rochester embarks on a stretch of six matches in seven at home.
Can RNY FC build some momentum over the next six weeks that will see the club steaming towards the playoffs?
I would say you could ask Monroe Community College Engineering Science & Physics Department Chair Christopher K. Kumar, but the professor will probably tell you the same thing.
Of course Rochester can: we Believe Impossible, and make the possible, probable.
NEXT GAMES:
RNY FC: vs. Columbus Crew 2, Friday, June 24, 7 p.m. EDT (12 a.m. UK time), Monroe CC.
NE Revs 2: at Chicago Fire II, Sunday, June 26, 5 p.m. EDT, SeatGeek Stadium.
