New NYCFC coach inspired
ORANGEBURG, N.Y. — New York City FC supporters may want to frequent jazz clubs around the city the rest of the season. Because they may run into the entire team.
“Sometimes after the game — if we are very, very happy — we need to go to a jazz club,” new head coach Domènec Torrent said at Tuesday’s training session. “I love jazz music, especially the blues and soul. In New York maybe it’s possible.”
Torrent left his alto saxophone behind at his home in Girona, Spain. He’ll have little free time anyway with the all-consuming task of gradually developing his own plan for the boys from the Bronx during the last 18 regular-season Major League Soccer matches. Wednesday was just his fifth day in the United States, following a lengthy Visa process.
“My feeling right now is much better,” Torrent said. “It’s very important for a new coach to start with a win, but especially [because] we were able to come back in the game. It’s not easy when you are losing the game 1-0 to a top team.”
New York City rallied to defeat Toronto FC 2-1 Sunday.
“Don’t forget they are the champions, and they are able to play good football,” he said.
The day after his inaugural match with the club, Torrent heard from his friend and colleague the last 11 years — Pep Guardiola, who followed the details of the match on twitter.
“Yesterday, he called me,” Torrent said. “He asked, ‘What are you feeling about the team, about the club?’ I said, ‘It’s amazing Pep, everything for now is perfect.’ Before the game he asked, ‘Are you nervous?’ I told him, ‘No Pep, you know me.’ ”
Guardiola has described Torrent, his assistant at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, as “the other half of me.” Torrent has referred to Guardiola as “family” and “like a brother.”
“For me, Pep is the best coach ever because he introduced new concepts in the game,” Torrent said. “We changed many things in Manchester City. We were able to break eight records in one year. Every single game is different for Pep, he’s looking for the best way to play the next game and the next game — and I believe in that.”
Like his predecessor, Patrick Vieira, Torrent reportedly signed a three-year contract with NYCFC. He was quick to credit Vieira, the new OGC Nice coach, for his own successful debut in New York.
“We are able to win not for me — because I had training one day,” Torrent said. “We are able to win for Patrick Vieira, who has been training two or more years here. This win is for Patrick as well.”
Atlanta United F.C. manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino was correct.
All-star midfielder Darlington Nagbe injured his abductor when he went down Sunday in the 56th minute of the Five Stripes’ 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers.
Martino said after the game he thought that was the case but wasn’t completely sure. After additional testing, the club confirmed Martino’s instincts Tuesday, announcing Nagbe will miss “two to three months” with a “right abductor injury.”
Orlando City plays at Atlanta United Saturday.