D.C. United center-back Bobby Boswell held NYCFC forward David Villa for almost the full 90 minutes before the Spanish international scored in the 84th minute (photo credit: MLS Soccer)
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Perhaps D.C. United are just late risers. After taking two weeks to find the back of the net the club can now seemingly not stop scoring. Thanks to goals from Lloyd Sam and Luciano Acosta in the second half D.C. pulled off their second straight victory, edging New York City Football Club 2-1 in front of 18,885 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.
Despite featuring two attack-minded sides it was the defense of both United and NYCFC that were the story in the first half. United coach Ben Olsen and NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira both instituted a high press meant at disabling their opponent’s attacking pieces. It worked forcing both teams to take their chances on the outside.
On United’s attacking end midfielders Lloyd Sam, Luciano Acosta, and forward Jose Guillermo Ortiz had trouble creating shots despite having multiple opportunities. In the 26th minute Ortiz had a breakaway opportunity at the NYCFC goal after seizing on a defensive miscue by the visitors. While the Costa Rican international looked primed for his second goal of the season NYCFC defender Maxime Chanot swept in and made a deft clear in the box.
For NYCFC their best opportunities would come from the educated feet of Ronald Matarrita. In the 17th minute Matarrita would get by Nick De Leon and delivered a high, looping cross into David Villa. Villa appeared prime for header into the box but it was just too far ahead of him.
NYCFC would get another good crack at goal just shortly before halftime with Villa this time playing the facilitator for Maximiliano Moralez. Villa’s cross into Moralez was on point and the midfielder’s shot was framed perfectly. The problem was that United goalkeeper Bill Hamid was ready, making his lone save of the match. Hamid provided a calming presence for a disjointed United side in the first half, holding play so the home side could organize.
In the second half both sides made several tactical adjustments that proved to be the difference in the scoreline. With Vieira opting to go to a 3-4-3 and Olsen using Acosta more down the left flank the pace of the match picked up exponentially. Both sides traded shots early on with Hamid and Johnson having to resort to acrobatics to preserve the scoreline. The two combined to make nine saves on the night and brought those in attendance to their feet on several occasions.
But it would be a defensive miscue on the part of NYCFC that would give United the advantage. In the 54th minute Sam would pick up on a bad clear by Frederic Brilliant. Sam would find himself all alone against Johnson and would not miss his chance. The goal was Sam’s first of the season.
United may have had the lead but they were not finished yet. Acosta would get past NYCFC’s Alexander Ring and find Sam on the outside. Sam’s shot this time would be saved by Johnson but Acosta would be there for the rebound. The goal was Acosta’s second of the season.
NYCFC would make things interesting late. Vieira opted to bring in Thomas McNamara in the super-sub with the intention of breaking apart the compact D.C. defense. It very nearly worked in the 82nd minute with McNamara laying in a cross for David Villa. Hamid was there the stop on that occasion but was unable to provide a similar effort in the 85th minute. The goal was Villa’s third of the season.
But it wasn’t enough. D.C. held on late to earn the 2-1 victory ending their four game homestand on a high note. The club will hit the road for the next three weeks with a test against their Atlantic Cup rivals, the New York Red Bulls, first. That match will be at 7:30pm next Saturday on MLS Live.
As for NYCFC this is their second consecutive loss on the road in 2017. Vieira will hope that the clubs fortunes away from Yankee Stadium will turn around on Friday when they travel to PPL Park to take on the Philadelphia Union (7pm EST ESPN).
D.C. United- Bill Hamid, Nick De Leon (Sean Franklin 59′), Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp, Lloyd Sam (Lamar Neagle 86′), Luciano Acosta, Jared Jeffrey, Patrick Nyarko, Jose Guillermo Ortiz (Sebastian Le Toux 72′)
Goals-Sam (54′) and Acosta (74′)
NYCFC- Sean Johnson, Frederic Brilliant, Maxime Chanot, Alexander Callens, Ronald Matarrita (Miguel Camargo 80′), Alexander Ring, Andrea Pirlo (Khiry Shelton 75′), Maximiliano Moralez, Jack Harrison, David Villa, Rodney Wallace (Thomas McNamara 60′)
Goal- Villa (85′)
Yellow Cards- Callens (10′) and Matarrita (35′)
Referee: Fischer
Referee’s Assistant: Claudiu Badea
Referee’s Assistant: Jeff Muschik
4th Official: Mark Kadlecik
Weather: Sunny and 61 Degrees
ATTENDANCE: 18,855
NYCFC
