NYCFC win first road victory
After 11 games without a win, NYCFC finally were able to come out on top after ninety minutes, in a comeback victory to beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1. The match saw Jason Kreis rewarded for giving a starting XI debuts to young midfielders Thomas McNamara and Kwadwo Poku, who combined for the first of NYCFC’s two goals on the night.
While the first half provided few thrills, the second half wasted no time in upping the excitement level. In the 2nd minute of the half, NYCFC failed to deal with a Philly cross off a corner, allowing the ball to find the knee (and hand) of CJ Sapong, then the foot of CJ Sapong, and finally the back left corner of the net.
This was the second week in a row that NYCFC has let in a goal off of a set piece, and while there is a decent argument for a handball on Sapong in the box, it was incompetent defending by NYCFC to begin with to allow the cross to reach Sapong in the first place.
It looked to be one of those games where a momentary lapse of focus by the New York defense would down them, until the 53’ minute of the match, when New York native, Thomas McNamara, decided that wound in fact not be the case.
The move for the goal began when debutant McNamara fought off the Union’s Nogueira for the ball and then dishing it off to Poku before running forward to occupy the acres between Philly’s defensive and midfield line. The Ghanian, Poku, then returned the ball to McNamara with a well weighted pass that narrowly split two Union midfielders.
If Poku’s pass was a half-foot behind McNamaras stride, it could be forgiven, as it forced McNamara to reach back and take a touch that allowed the ball roll perfectly beside the NYCFC midfielder, giving him the perfect angle to open his hips and strike a vicious curler into the upper right corner of the net.
A candidate for NYCFC’s goal of the season, McNamara’s strike was like a sudden cathartic release of all the anxiety and frustration built up over the last 11 games.
For the rest of the second half however, NYCFC bent under Philadelphia’s pressure, and might have broken were it not for the Saunders having a terrific day in goal. The NYCFC net minder’s biggest save of the night came in the 76th minute, when a shot from the talismanic Sebastian Le Toux deflected off Sapong towards the side netting of the far post before Saunders’ great reflexes allowed him to get his glove to the ball at full stretch and knock the ball away.
Along with Saunders, defensive plaudits should be given to Shay Facey, who was a rock in defense throughout the game, but especially in the last half hour. Besides relieving pressure in the air when called upon, Facey also made several crucial clearances within his own 6 yard box that surely saved a goal or two in the dying minutes of the game, and was rightfully awarded the man of the match ty
Throughout the onslaught of pressure from the Philadelphia Union in the last twenty minutes of the match, NYCFC had a couple great chances on goal themselves. One moment in particular saw David Villa with an opportunity to win the game when Erik Brovsky put in a great cross along the path of Villa, who was able to get over the ball enough on his in-step half volley, sending his shot flying over the goal as a result.
Minutes later, McNamara’s attempted cross on the edge of the Philly box was blocked by the outstretched hand of Union left back, Fabinho, who was standing inside the penalty area. It was a play that was well within the referees right to reward a penalty for NYC, but the lack of luck for Kreis and his men seemed consistent on this play as it has been for the past 990 (plus stoppage time) winless hours.
However, it was merely a red herring, as Patrick Mullins arrived in the 86th minute to grab the winner for NYC. Brought on late for the increasingly frustrated and impotent Adam Nemec , Mullins received the ball from a throw-in during the 86th minute, and with Fabinho on his back, rolled across the defender and fired in a shot in one swift move. The shot deflected off Shannon Williams into the near post, while Goalkeeper Bryan Sylvestre fell helplessly the other way.
Though Mullin’s goal was a bit fortunate, it was just what NYCFC deserved on the night and throughout their winless streak. In particular, Mullins was deserving of the goal, as it was the second game in a row he has come on for Adam Nemec and immediately looked dangerous, with a similar effort last week against the Dynamo going just wide of the outside post in what would have been a game winner at home.
After the game, a calm Jason Kreis refused to exude anything other than conservatively cautious optimism, reminding that his team still has quite a few areas to improve on before they can seriously compete in this league.
For now, however, New York City fans can and should rejoice at seeing their team deliver a thrilling come from behind, away at a big east coast rival.
New York City FC will return home to Yankee Stadium for next Saturday’s match against the Montreal Impact.
