James Sands rightfully received a red card in New York City FC’s match against St. Louis City SC, which ended in a 2-0 loss for NYCFC. Despite some positive moments on the field, NYCFC struggled offensively and made costly mistakes that led to their defeat.
Sands was shown a red card in the 83rd minute after an incident involving Chris Durkin. While initially fouled by Durkin, Sands reacted by raising his legs toward the St. Louis player, making contact with his abdomen. Whether this action was intentional is uncertain, but it was a dangerous move regardless.
The referee’s decision to issue a straight red card was warranted, as Sands’ action could have caused serious injury. Even if the initial offense merited only a yellow card, Sands would have been sent off due to it being his second yellow. Many NYCFC supporters would agree that the red card was justified given the severity of the foul.
This incident capped off a disappointing night for NYCFC, who had shown improvement compared to their previous match against Charlotte FC. However, their offensive performance was lacking, with only one shot on target out of eight attempts. This failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities is concerning, especially considering the attacking talent on NYCFC’s roster.
As NYCFC prepares for their home opener, Sands’ absence due to suspension further dampens spirits. The team will need to address their offensive shortcomings if they hope to perform better in future matches, particularly on the road.
