As the 2021 regular season came to a close we sat down with the voices of New York City FC’s radio coverage, Glenn Crooks and Roberto Abramowitz to get their thoughts on the campaign.
The duo boast decades of soccer and broadcasting experience and have added poetry to some of the Club’s most memorable moments on the field. So who better to ask for their reflections on this season as well as their professional opinion on which player could one day end up in the booth.
What were your expectations for NYCFC at the start of the season?
Glenn Crooks: With Ronny getting a full preseason, I anticipated another playoff but without depth in the attacking corps I did not see NYCFC as an elite team competing for hardware. And Ronny agreed in his early season comments when he publicly claimed that the team could not contend for an MLS title without attacking reinforcements. Thiago Andrade, Talles Magno, and Santi Rodriguez arrived and Taty Castellanos matured to change the course of the season and place City as a legitimate contender for the title.
Roberto Abramowitz: The expectation was to compete for a championship. This team has the talent to get to and win MLS Cup. A deep run in the playoffs should be a minimum expectation.
What has been your favorite goal of the season?
GC: Since I know Roberto is going to choose Gudi’s freekick goal at Atlanta, I’ll go with Thiago game-winner against DC United in the fifth minute of stoppage time. It was just the second match for Thiago and he entered only because of a Jesus Medina injury. His 90-yard jaunt, juke and left-footed finish past Bill Hamid caused a team celebration I had not seen since I started covering the team in the inaugural 2015 season. It was euphoric. Thiago had scored in his debut in a 3-2 loss to New England and then DNP (coach’s decision) in the subsequent win over Atlanta so this flair for the dramatic in the next match was a bit unexpected - a surreal ending after trailing 1-0.
RA: Without a doubt Thiago’s goal against DC United. The ebb and flow of that dramatic game were great. And to win it -after almost losing it in the DC attack, and the way that goal was scored was breathtaking.
Ronny Deila has enjoyed playing at Yankee Stadium this season – what makes the atmosphere so special in your opinion?
GC: I just said this in our last Soccer in the City podcast - there is a mystique to Yankee Stadium. There’s an aura that still exists despite the fact it’s not the original structure. I went to the old Yankee Stadium (across the street) with my father in the 60’s and 70’s. It was a cathedral and the current Stadium carries some of that fascination. While I’m setting up for our broadcast 3 or 4 hours before kickoff I always see the opposing players during their pregame walk around the stadium, taking selfies and just gazing at the enormity of the stadium - it never fails. Always happens. Then I watch the visiting coaches step off the 18-yard box and the width of the field - always happens, never fails. I think opponents spend too much time worrying about the dimensions and playing in a baseball stadium - a self-fulfilling prophecy. I know it happens to Philadelphia who are winless in six matches lifetime at the stadium (0-4-2). Jim Curtin talks about it openly in pregame media gatherings - go on my twitter @GlennCrooks for the clip where he talks about the Stadium before our Decision Day game. All that being said, City is quite comfortable in its surroundings and they seem to always play with alacrity in the Bronx - a lot of joy and fun!
RA: It’s about the fans. They are into the game from the get-go. Also, the unique Stadium and the small field has given NYCFC a decided advantage. Opposing teams and coaches are ALWAYS talking about the field. And the field size, plus the creative, offensive talent “Los Celestes” have make the games a lot of fun
What has been your favorite game to call this season?
GC: This is going to come across as selfish. But the road game at Columbus on July 17 was so meaningful to the radio commentators and my favorite moment of the season. It was our first road trip since October 6, 2019 due to Covid precautions and it signaled a return to a sense of normalcy for us. (I was in my basement calling the game off a monitor for every road game and most home matches during the pandemic). And despite dominating the match, City lost to Crew SC, 2-1 on another Lucas Zelarayan game-winning free kick (his second of the season against NYCFC). Fortunately, the defending MLS Cup Champions are on the sideline in the post-season while NYCFC is poised to compete for its first title.
Runner-up: Pumas match in the Leagues Cup. Matty Lawrence and I were on the air for six hours and 18 minutes which fell less than two hours shy of the Guinness Book of World Records for a live broadcast of any kind. We were getting messages from supporters at the concession stand who were listening as we covered just about every corner of the globe in our conversation. Conditions from hurricane Ida delayed the kickoff until 11pm EST. NYCFC lost on penalties after two goals were disallowed through VAR in regular play. A crazy night in the Bronx.
RA: I’ll go back to that DC United game. Honorable mentions to the tie vs Pumas and the Decision Day tie with 10 men vs. the Philadelphia Union.
Who has been your favorite player for NYCFC this season?
GC: These guys are all bigger than me (except for Maxi) so I have to be careful with my selection! My personal favorite is Anton who has been one of the most important acquisitions in the short history of the club. Looking back at Patrick Vieira’s teams, the missing link was a quality fullback on the right and Anton has produced beyond expectations. And I’ve been able to interact with Anton through our Malmo connections and just chatting on the road or at the training facility. I have a great friend, Denise Reddy, who is the current assistant of the Chelsea FC women (UCL finalists) who was the captain for the Malmo women’s team for 10 years and I brought her up to training one day to meet Anton. They shared a lot of Malmo stories. And I am a good friend of a Malmo Ultra who recently sent me a poster signed by the Ultras to wish Anton a speedy recovery from the Achilles surgery which I was able to give to him. Like NYCFC supporters, the Malmo Ultras love Anton. What a competitor and leader. Here’s to a speedy recovery, man!
RA: Taty Castellanos. His infectious, non-stop work-rate, has led to increased effectiveness in front of goal. Let’s enjoy him here while we can.
Which NYCFC player do you think would make the best play-by-play announcer?
GC: Andres Jasson - Andres is a student of the game…a student at Yale taking on-line classes while training and playing!! Gives long, thoughtful, articulate answers to questions about the specifics of the game and his early life as a professional. And who could describe someone drawing a foul better than Andres!
RA: Easy, Héber. Non-stop good mood and smile, contagious positive energy and always a smile in his voice. I think Glenn should watch his back! 😉🤣
Both men will be on hand for NYCFC’s First Round Playoff meeting with Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. You can buy tickets here.
