Image credit: NYCFC
New York City Football Club had not lost a home game during the regular season since June of 2016, but that all came crashing down yesterday on a sunny spring day in the Bronx as Cyle Larin and Joe Bendick once again proved they have NYCFC’s number.
It was a familiar story for NYCFC. They dominated possession owning 62% of the ball but still lost by a goal. Jason Kreis has never lost against his old team and yesterday’s match up was more of the same. Much like in the season opener, NYCFC looked the better team and had the better chances but Larin made the hosts pay with a deft play to slot home a cross in the first half and by simply out muscling Rodney Wallace to head the ball in the back of the net in the second.
NYCFC truly missed injured Ronald Matarrita as fellow Costa Rican , Wallace was beaten by Larin on both goals. NYCFC created their chances and looked on pace to at least gain a draw out of the occasion after a 74th minute goal from David Villa, but Joe Bendick made several spectacular saves to keep the visitors in the lead.
All three of NYCFC’s designated players received yellow cards yesterday and the home fans will argue that the referee was overly eager to call fouls against the hosts calling 21 fouls against them to Orlando’s 9. However, NYCFC have no one but themselves to blame.
It is a familiar theme this season to dominate possession and look the better team but to have a disappointing result because NYCFC cannot put the ball in the back of the net. They are missing a gritty player like Frank Lampard who would score, somehow, no matter what, with whatever part of his body required it.. They need another scoring option besides David Villa who will finish the chances created by their offense. Alexander Ring, Maxi Morales and Jack Harrison all had good chances on goal yesterday but none found the back of the net.
NYCFC are on the road against Columbus on Saturday and Patrick Vieira’s men will have to find a way to end what they start on the pitch or suffer another chapter in the same frustrating tale.
