After a less than stellar preseason, New York City Football Club, lead by their three Designated Players, put on a offensive display and claimed a spot at the top in the Eastern Conference with a two to zero win against Sporting Kansas City. With so many questions coming into the game, the season opener could not have gone much better for the boys in blue.
During the first half NYCFC dominated possession and put on a clinic in style of play as they looked dangerous on many fronts. The forward trio of Rodney Wallace, David Villa, and Jesus Medina worked well together and set up several dangerous chances for club. It was a set up by Medina and a perfect pass by Villa that eventually found Maxi Moralez charging toward the goal in the thirty second minute to give the club their first goal of the season. With a deft first touch the diminutive midfielder slotted the ball home past Tim Melia. NYCFC would not take long to claim another goal in the second half. Ben Sweat proved why he was worthy of a start when he pushed forward down the left flank and sent a perfect cross to Medina who showed his skill with a great first touch and dangerous shot to double the lead. It was everything Patrick Vieira could have asked for in a season opener.
NYCFC would keep a clean sheet for the game but not without controversy as a penalty kick call was reversed through VAR late in the match. Maxime Chanot made a sliding tackle in the box and was spared when the review showed he got all ball. Though NYCFC escaped that time it would not be so lucky a few minutes later when Chanot again took Gerso Fernandes down just outside the box and received a straight red from Mark Geiger after checking in with the monitor. The call was tough for NYCFC and sent off arguably their best center back for the remainder of the game. Their depth as a team will be tested next week as Vieira must find a replacement in the backline. Sebastian Ibeagha made his MLS debut coming on for Moralez after NYCFC were down to ten men and did well in relief of Chanot. Depending on the how Cederic Hountondji’s injury is progressing Ibeagha could find himself in a starting role for the home opener.
Barring the red card, NYCFC proved themselves dangerous and showed they could defend well in tough conditions on the road. New signing, Anton Tinnerholm lived up to his potential and Moralez and Medina showed their worth as DPs. If they can keep scoring and relieve pressure on David Villa then NYCFC will have a season to remember on their hands. Next match: Home opener against LA Galaxy. Galaxy beat Portland two to one yesterday and NYCFC’s home opener will be a battle between two teams trying to stay undefeated and get a real streak going. NYCFC have put themselves in prime position with this season opener and have to be smiling on their flight home to Yankee stadium.
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