NYC FC grabs first win in franchise’s MLS history with two goals agains the New England Revolution. Photo/ Kristian Cardillo
With a 2-0 win, NYC FC announces their presence in the league
by Anna Ferkingstad, New York Editor
It was none other than the boots of David Villa that opened the scoring for NYC FC on Sunday against the New England Revolution. Over 40,000 fans were rewarded when they funneled into Yankee Stadium to see the franchise play their first ever game at home. The crowd erupted and light blue streamers fell from the top tiers of the converted legendary baseball stadium when Villa sliced the ball past New England’s goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth in the 19th minute.
David Villa scored the opening goal for NYC FC in the 19th minute. Photo/Kristian Cardillo
The opening whistle on Sunday revealed a determined Jason Kreis and NYC FC side. The first few moments of the game saw play largely in New York’s favor as the Revolution struggled to hold onto possession in their attacking third. Ned Grabavoy and Mix Diskerud were connecting in the midfield and threading balls to Villa and Adam Nemec up front. Villa’s opening goal of the game was a result of small combination play and a give and go with Grabavoy, and marked the first goal for the Spaniard in his MLS career.
This attacking mentality greatly contrasted what was seen from the team in last weekend’s match up against expansion rivals Orlando City SC. At the Citrus Bowl, a compact midfield and slow transitions left Villa isolated. American international Diskerud gave the team a 1-0 lead 76 minutes into the game, only to have Orlando score a tying goal off of a deflection in the 91st minute. Coach Jason Kreis commented on the improvement after the game by stating, “I had a notion that this was going to be the week for [Villa]… You don’t get around people like him very often that can finish with the percentage that he finishes chances with.”
The New England Revolution opened their 2015 season with a 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders largely due to the same weaknesses seen in Yankee Stadium. Despite dominating play towards the end of the first half against New York, the Revolution struggled to finish shots and follow their marks on defensive plays. NYC FC was able to grab the final 2-0 scoreline in the 84th minute when a ball launched across the face of the net by Villa reached a wide open Patrick Mullins on the far post. The former Rev made no mistake, burying the ball with his first touch after stepping on the pitch.
Patrick Mullins scored to make it 2-0, against his former club. Photo/Kristian Cardillo
Despite the fairly level possession statistics of 53% to NYC FC and 47% to New England, NYC FC out shot the Revolution 20 to 11. Kreis’ side greatly controlled the second half and looked as if they are beginning to understand how to play with one another. The stand out performers included goalkeeper Josh Saunders and Ned Grabavoy. Saunders had a game changing save in the 42nd when he nabbed a close range shot from the Revolution’s Juan Agudelo. Throughout the game, Saunders demonstrated that he is a confident and reliable force in the net for the team. Grabavoy played with same conviction that was seen during his time at RSL, and without his quick thinking in the opening minutes of the game it is unlikely that Villa would have been able to surpass several Revolution defenders for his goal in the 19th minute.
“I think everybody dreams and thinks about what this type of opportunity could look like, and what this match could look like. And I would say that it fulfilled my dreams,” Kreis said. “You couldn’t ask for a better result against a very good team and you couldn’t ask for better support from our crowd.”
Tonight’s game made it clear that this New York team is here to play. They have demonstrated that they are going to be competitive this MLS season and have a combination of fresh talent and legendary big names that is unique to the league. Rookie Khiry Shelton is already being whispered as a possible Rookie of the Year candidate after his performances in the club’s two opening games. In Orlando and at Yankee Stadium, Shelton demonstrated his pace and vision when he immediately changed the momentum of the game after entering as a substitute. Villa, with every passing minute on a MLS pitch, appears more and more able to connect with his teammates and look towards goal.
So, where next for this light blue side? According to Kreis, the team is nowhere near a “finished product.” However, it doesn’t need to be. The victory against New England was a historical first, but the club now has a whole season ahead of them. Next weekend, they travel West for the first time this season to face the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids will be seeking a win, having grabbed a 0-0 tie against the Philadelphia Union in their only game so far this season. However, they look like cellar-dwellers in an extremely competitive Western Conference, and the match presents a great chance for NYC FC to pick up three points on the road for the first time.
