It was not the prettiest of days. the clouds looked ominous hanging over Yankee Stadium as the teams filed out onto the pitch. It was cold, again, and it was not the prettiest of games. In the end, New York City Football Club found a way to top the San Jose Earthquakes and extend their record to 2-1-1.
It was tough night for NYCFC in hard fought match by both teams. New York City even fell behind in the 6th minute after a bad back pass by Andrea Pirlo found the feet of Marco Urena, who deftly slotted it near post against Sean Johnson. But it was the skill of David Villa who had his first multi-assist game in MLS that set the home team apart.
After a few good chances resulting from string build up play by NYCFC, Villa’s backheel flick to Jack Harrison in the 10th minute set up the first goal. Harrison’s rocket of a shot bounced off David Bingham’s hands and into the net.
After half it was Villa again who showed his quality playing a exquisite flick into the path of Ronald Mataritta. Mataritta played it across to substitute Thomas McNamara who sent the ball screaming into the back of the net.
It was a just reward for a NYCFC team that had 70% possession in the first half and still found itself somehow tied with a scrappy San Jose team. The win was also the first since July 6 of 2016 where David Villa had not scored a goal. It was his passing and work off the ball that showed why NYCFC are so lucky to have him as captain and on the pitch in general. He was taking hits, getting pushed and scraping for every ball that came forward and he set the tone for the day.
NYCFC continued to look dangerous in their build up play and fans have to look forward to seeing their team play on a larger wider pitch where space will be more available. Additional space for their passing lanes should benefit creative midfield types like Harrison ,
Photo: Ashley Marshall
Maxi Morales, Rodney Wallace, and Alexander Ring. DC United have to be a bit afraid of what will happen next week when NYCFC gets even more space to stretch and confuse defenses.
The New York defense was solid on the day. San Jose’s only goal was off of a bad back pass and there was really nothing NYCFC could do. The team was lucky again in the 55th minute when Pirlo fouled Urena in the box but no penalty was given. NYCFC have only surrendered 3 goals this season and seem much more of a cohesive unit in the back. The play a 4 man back line with Ethan White, Maxime Chanot, and Alexander Callens staying deep while Mataritta booms forward and creates havoc on offense when the chances arise. It was just such a run that ultimately lead to NYCFC’s go ahead goal.
On a cold day in the Bronx NYCFC will take a gritty win at home and assume their place third in the Eastern Conference looking ahead to an away game at RFK stadium against a team they beat 4-0 at home.
NYCFC
San Jose Earthquakes
