Villa nets for NYCFC in their first match up against the Union.
Photo: Diego Muya (Prost Amerika)
NYC FC concedes late goal for a tie with Philadelphia
by Anna Ferkingstad, NY editor
Statistically speaking, NYC FC won Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Union. They held the majority of possession, won more duels and had a higher shot count. The only numbers not in their favor, however, are the ones that matter most: the scoreline.
Does the phrase: “It’s ok, they are still a new team,” ever get old?
Every inaugural season has moments of disorganization and miscommunication, they are unavoidable side effects of being a new club. However, for New York City fans that fact probably didn’t help Union’s game-tying goal in the 86th minute sting any less.
Philadelphia’s C.J. Sapong brought the scoreline to 1-1 with only four minutes remaining in regulation time, after NYC FC left the forward wide open in the eighteen yard box. Sapong’s volley into the upper right hand corner of the net denied New York from their first win since their home opener against the New England Revolution.
Thursday’s game against the Philadelphia Union was the second of a back-to-back series between the two Eastern Conference clubs. New York fell 2-1 to the Union at PPL Park, five days prior to give Philadelphia their first victory of the season. David Villa scored the lone goal for New York in the 55th minute, but the rejuvenated offense of the second half was not able to recover from the slow opening minutes of the game.
NYC’s weakest moments come in those crucial first and last minutes of the game. It has been clear in the six games that they have played thus far, that they are a stronger second half team. The one exception would remain Thursday’s game at Yankee Stadium, when it appeared that Jason Kreis’ side could dominate play from the get-go. In the first half, New York held 62% possession to the Philadelphia Union’s 38%. Youngster Khiry Shelton made an immediate impact in the speed of play up front, with his first MLS career start.
A notable play remained a header from Adam Nemec off of a corner from Javier Calle in the 27th minute, that soared just over the crossbar. New York was unable to capitalize on their chances until the 57th minute when Shelton threaded a pass to midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy. Ballouchy then snaked a touch past the defender and fired the ball from distance into the top left hand corner of the net to give NYC the 1-0 lead.
Diskerud in New York’s first and only win, at their home opener against the New England Revolution. His return to Sunday’s game against the Timbers will have a large impact on the midfield.
Ballouchy and Shelton played a large role in the game against Philadelphia, in the absence of starting midfielder and captain Mix Diskerud. Diskerud, who was away on international duty for the US Men’s match against Mexico, is both consistent and a workhorse on defense. Kreis’ switch to a 4-3-3 allowed NYC FC to feed balls to Villa and Shelton even in Diskerud absence, however, it was the later moments of the game that the team could have used the captain’s defensive presence.
Goalkeeper Josh Saunders denied the Union on several occasions, including a series of deflections and saves in the second minute and then a nimble block in the 73rd minute from Union’s Zach Pfeffer in the bottom right corner.
Sapong’s goal for the Union in the 86th minute marked the second consecutive game that New York conceded a late goal to Philadelphia. Last weekend at PPL Park, the Union grabbed a 2-1 victory after Vincent Nogueira’s shot in stoppage time. NYC FC has conceded a total of 5 goals this season past the 85th minute mark, a rather high tally for only having played six games.
Remaining a consistent team for a full 90 minutes will be key to New York City’s upcoming games. The club has a quick turn around as they prepare to host the Portland Timbers at Yankee Stadium on Sunday 7pm ET for the final of New York’s three matches in under 10 days.
Kreis has several decisions ahead of him with the return of Diskerud and the exhaustion of players from Thursday’s aggressive match. New York currently holds a record of 1-3-2. With continuous positive performances, Shelton is likely to see a lot of playing time alongside Kwadwo Poku who brought fresh and impressive energy in the match against the Union as a substitute. Philadelphia is set to face the New England Revolution on Sunday at 5pm ET.
