ºüÀêÊÓƵ

Brendan McSorley was so excited that he suffered a temporary loss of hearing Wednesday night.

The ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC forward couldn’t decipher what coach Bradley Carnell shouted into his ear during the closing minutes of a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids.

“The adrenaline was crazy, I didn’t hear a thing,� McSorley said. “I’m thinking, ‘How could I miss what he said.’�

Carnell repeated himself with the words McSorley had been waiting to hear all of his life.

“He said get ready, you’re going in,� McSorley said.

The 22-year old made his Major League Soccer debut in the 82nd minute and turned in a solid performance to close out the contest.

McSorley was still in a mild state of shock after Thursday’s training session.

“Everything happened so fast,� he said. “It’s still hard to believe.�

McSorley’s debut was one of City SC’s few highlights of Wednesday’s contest. The three-goal loss was the largest setback of what has been a disappointing season to date.

City SC (3-6-9) will look to rebound when its hosts Atlanta (5-8-5) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CityPark in the first meeting between the teams.

Carnell is hoping for a bounce-back effort from his squad, which has gone winless over its last seven matches. The 0-5-2 skid is the longest in the short history of the franchise.

A lack of offense has contributed mightily to the rough stretch.

City SC has been shut out in its last three matches and has not scored a goal in its last 292 minutes.

McSorley was chosen by City SC in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft in December and was assigned to the City2 team of the MLS NEXT Pro league.

The former Providence College striker shined for City2 with a pair of nifty goals before signing a short term loan agreement with the big club earlier this week.

“He’s a good a finisher,� Carnell said. “He makes a lot of defensive action against the opponents and then frees himself up in good attacking spots.�

Carnell is hoping McSorley can provide some much-needed punch to an attack that has gone stagnant over the last month.

McSorley, who scored 23 goals in 62 matches during his four-year college career for the Friars, got over 100 texts from family and friends after the debut. His brother Liam and sister Nora came in from New Jersey in time for the match.

That made the moment extra special for Brendan.

“He was better than me when we younger,� Brendan McSorley said of his brother.

McSorley’s parents, Guy and Tara and, were not able to make the trip to ºüÀêÊÓƵ on short notice but plan to be in attendance for Saturday’s match.

In a post-match press conference on Wednesday, McSorley said he hadn’t yet spoke with his parents, but he felt Tara would likely be in tears when she saw him enter the match.

Actually, Tara kept her emotions in check during the final few minutes of the contest. Then, she finally let the tears flow when she heard Brendan’s comments about her possibly crying as he entered the match.

“Right now, my main feeling is that I’m so proud,� McSorley said.

The team was not able to celebrate McSorley’s debut due to the one-sided loss. But the City SC players were happy to be a part of their teammate’s big moment.

“He’s one of the first guys I met when I came here to ºüÀêÊÓƵ,â€� City SC midfielder Chris Durkin said. “We went out and had Mexican food and touched base just to get to know each other. He’s got the exact DNA of City, guys that are hungry that go out and work hard.â€�

McSorley said he’s ready for the challenge if he’s called upon for Saturday’s game against Atlanta.

“Getting into my first match is great, but it’s time to move on from that and start contributing,� McSorley said.

Durkin back in the fold

Durkin returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing the June 15 game at FC Dallas due to yellow card accumulation.

The Hampton, Virginia, native who was acquired in the offseason from D.C. United has started 15 games this season.

Durkin was not allowed to travel with the team to Texas during his suspension. He watched the 2-0 loss on television.

“My wife and I were on the couch yelling, screaming,� Durkin said. “Tough to watch. But it makes you more grateful and thankful to be back on the field when you have that chance.�

Scouting Atlanta

Atlanta is coming off a 1-0 win over D.C. United on Wednesday and heads into Saturday’s match with plenty of momentum.

“They have a very strong unit,� Carnell said. “And they have a bit of belief now. They must be feeling pretty good about themselves. We want those feelings back as well.�

Thiago Almada scored the lone goal in Atlanta’s victory Wednesday to become the second-leading scorer in franchise history, but he’ll miss the trip to ºüÀêÊÓƵ because of yellow card accumulation.

Atlanta is 1-0-1 under interim coach Rob Valentino, who took over when Gonzalo Pineda was fired June 3 after being in charge since 2022.

No matter the foe, Durkin feels City SC needs to pick up the pace at both ends of the pitch.

“I think maybe we’ve spent too much time focusing on why the ball just didn’t go in the back of the net rather than the next play,� Durkin said. “It’s always about the next play. It’s doesn’t matter what happened, it’s a matter of what happens next.�

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC shut out for third consecutive game as winless streak hits seven games

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ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC

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ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC could net nearly $1 million of GAM by trading Aziel Jackson to Columbus

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Beth O'Malley is joined by sports columnist Ben Frederickson to discuss ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's loss to the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. The two talk about the team's struggles in its second season and try to figure out what can be done. Is a postseason appearance a necessity?

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC coach Bradley Carnell is not looking for any sympathy following a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at CityPark.

Neither are his players.

"We know we can do better," Carnell said. "It starts with us."

Explained City SC defender Jake Nerwinski, "That's not who we think we are. That's not what the fans deserve."

Djordje Mihailovic scored three times and City SC came up with its third successive offensive goose egg before a sold-out crowd that waited all night in the heat and humid for a reason to go crazy.

City SC (3-6-9, 18 points) has gone 292 minutes without scoring. The team's last tally came in a 3-3 tie June 1 at Inter Miami.

"I believe when that first win comes, we'll go on a roll for sure," Akil Watts said.

City SC remains winless over its past seven matches, a franchise low. City SC's last victory was a 3-1 triumph over the Chicago Fire on May 11.

It has also dropped two in a row during this rough 0-5-2 stretch that began with a 2-0 loss at home to the Los Angeles Football Club on May 15.

City SC had played relatively well in the two matches prior to Wednesday, including a 0-0 tie against Portland on June 8.

But the effort against Colorado (8-7-4, 28 points) was a major step back.

City SC wasted scoring chances and had trouble marking in its defensive end. Even sure-handed goalkeeper Roman Burki made a mistake with a bad outlet pass that landed on the foot of Mihailovic and led to the second goal in the 60th minute.

"We have to bridge a gap right now and it starts with us and our principles and our basics," Carnell said. "It's a challenge that I've embraced, it's a challenge my players will embrace."

City SC outshot Colorado 16-15 and had several solid chances but simply could not convert, a trend that has bothered it throughout the scoreless drought.

The best opportunity came in the 25th minute when Eduard Lowen hit the crossbar on a penalty kick with his team trailing by a goal. Lowen made his lone PK earlier in the season. City SC is 2 for 4 on penalty kicks this season.

Lowen also was halted on a nifty save by Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen midway through the second half. Steffen recorded his second successive clean sheet.

City SC held possession for 60 percent of the match.

"We know we're better than our results," Nerwinski said. "We have the skill, our tactics are right. It just comes down to more of a grit, getting it done. A mentality of just wanting to beat that player.

"And I think Colorado did that to us tonight."

Carnell showed his team some brief game film of the contest just minutes after the group arrived in the locker room.

He said it is time to flush the effort, move forward and remain focused.

"As a group, as an organization, we have to stick together," Carnell said. "We know we're moving in the right direction. Do I feel the frustration? One-hundred percent. Is it warranted? One-hundred percent. We need our fans to be connected with us in a tough time. I urge them and embrace them to do so."

Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute on Mihailovic's first tally off a throw-in. Sebastian Anderson began the play with a long toss along the sideline that dangerously bounced in the box. Mihailovic got his head on the one-hopper and popped it past Burki.

Mihailovic added a penalty kick goal in stoppage time to complete the natural hat trick.

Burki had kept City SC in the match with a diving save off a shot by Omir Fernandez in the 59th minute to keep the deficit at one goal.

City SC will host Atlanta (5-8-5) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Defender Tim Parker sat out the match due to yellow card accumulation. Joakim Nilsson missed the contest with a hamstring injury, making City SC thin along the back line.

Moving out

City SC defender Nikolas Dyhr was been sold Tuesday to the Randers FC of the Danish Superliga.

The 22-year-old was signed in January. He made two starts among his six appearances.

His debut came March 1 in a 2-0 win over New York City FC.

"We want to thank Nikolas for all of his hard work and time while in ºüÀêÊÓƵ," City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a statement. 

Photos: ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC loses 3-0 to the Colorado Rapids at CityPark

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC has chance to get back on track with successive home fixtures

• Steve Overbey

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC suffers 2nd consecutive shutout. 'Didn't use the chances we had.'

• Steve Overbey

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC

ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC could net nearly $1 million of GAM by trading Aziel Jackson to Columbus

• Chris Gove

Aziel Jackson's trade from ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC to reigning Major League Soccer champion Columbus was completed Tuesday in a deal that could net $900,000 for City SC.

A 22-year-old midfielder, Jackson has played in 16 of City SC's 17 MLS games this season including eight starts. He has come off the bench in the seven of his last eight appearances.

The trade was reported by several outlets Monday but was unconfirmed by either team until Tuesday.

“We want to thank AZ for his time and contribution to our team as he played a key part in our successful inaugural season,� City SC sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a news release. “This is a mutually beneficial trade that provides us flexibility to potentially strengthen the roster in the summer, while giving AZ a fresh start in Columbus.�

Jackson, a native of New York, scored one goal and had four assists during City SC's debut season in 2023. He has not hit the scoresheet in 2024 and played in 41 games for City SC over two seasons.

In return for Jackson, City SC will receive $325,000 in general allocation money (GAM) that can be used for the 2024 roster and $325,000 in GAM that can be used in 2025.

Also, City SC could be in line for another $250,000 in GAM if Jackson hits performance-based incentives.

General allocation money can be used in a number of ways to help a team stay in salary cap compliance.

Jackson won't be available to play for Columbus until the summer transfer window opens July 18.

Winless in six consecutive games, City SC (3-4-9, 18 points) opens a two-game homestand at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday by playing host to Colorado (7-7-4, 25 points) at CityPark. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Atlanta (4-8-5, 17 points) visits City SC.

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