“Knee-Jerk Reactions” is Hudson River Blue’s series of what we were thinking throughout the match. These were our unfiltered thoughts as they played out in real time — no editing, no revisions. Just raw, pure emotion.

These were my reactions to New York City FC’s 3-1 knockout round win over the Philadelphia Union:

First Half

1’: Pretty empty crowd. That’s unfortunate

6’: Herrera has a huge role to play tonight

10’: WHAT A FINISH FROM IZZY!!! 1-0

23’: I didn’t even notice that Villa backheel. Holy sh**!

25’: VILLA VILLA VILLA! VILLA MARAVILLA! 2-0

30’: OK, I officially feel bad for Burke...

34’:That might be a penalty. Yikes!

35’: No penalty. We’re cool!

38’: Herrera is such a brute!

HT: What a half!

Second Half

50’: Not a great start to this one. We haven’t conceded, but Philly is knocking

57’: Good defense from Callens

58’: Sean “Kamikaze” Johnson

64’: Not a fan of Maxi up top.

77’: Game is ugly right now. Very ugly

78’: MAXIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!

83’: Please don’t raise my anxiety, City

86’: I agree with a yellow card there. Not bad enough to be a red.

90’+3: Tinnerholm’s energy is contagious

FT: WE WON A KNOCKOUT GAME!