NYCFC Earns a Crucial Three Points with 2-0 Win Against Toronto FC
Soccer News: Frank Lampard scored his first goal for New York City FC and Patrick Mullins scored for the second straight match as New York City FC beat Toronto FC 2-0 to earn a crucial three points as the race for the Major League Soccer playoffs heats up in front of 25,075 on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.
New York City FC snap a three-match losing streak and improve to 8-14-7 (31 points), while Toronto FC fall to 11-13-4 (37 points).
The Club is 2-0-1 in three regular-season matches against Toronto FC.
In the 20th minute, midfielder Andrea Pirlo played a dangerous ball over the top of the defense to an on-rushing R.J. Allen. The right back slid in an effort to keep the ball in play near the byline and flicked it backwards to Lampard at the top of the 18-yard box. The Designated Player controlled the ball and fired home a shot into the low far corner for a 1-0 advantage.
Lampard, who holds the record for most English Premier Leagues scored against, added his first MLS team to his extensive list with his first goal in a New York City FC jersey. The midfielder stood in the Toronto FC box with both arms held proudly in the air.
That goal was the difference at halftime as New York City FC held a 1-0 lead.
The two Eastern Conference teams exchanged opportunities in the second half. Toronto FC, which are winless in their last seven road matches, had a pair of Sebastian Giovinco free kicks saved by goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the 60th and 62nd minutes.
The veteran shot-stopper had seven saves in the Club’s first clean sheet since June 20.
Saunders was at his best again less than 10 minutes later with two emphatic saves on Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley. Bradley fired a shot from distance in the 70th minute that Saunders pushed away, but the rebound fell back to the United States National Team captain, who rocketed another shot at the goalkeeper once more.
New York City FC had a pair of opportunities at the other end five minutes later off corner kicks, capitalizing on the second chance.
Pirlo curled an enticing ball around the 6-yard box that forward Patrick Mullins, who leapt above a horde of Toronto FC defenders and smashed it home for a 2-0 lead in the 74th.
New York City FC look to keep the momentum in their favor on Saturday against San Jose. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium (YES Network, WFAN, WADO).
GAME NOTES
New York City FC 2, Toronto FC 0
Wednesday, September 16, 2015: 7:30 p.m. EDT
MLS Regular Season
Yankee Stadium
Scoring Summary:
20’ Frank Lampard NYC (Assisted by RJ Allen, Andrea Pirlo)
77’ Patrick Mullins NYC (Assisted by Andrea Pirlo)
Misconduct Summary:
52’ Benoit Cheyrou TOR (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior)
62’ Jason Hernandez NYC (Yellow Card – Unsporting Behavior)
88’ Josh Saunders NYC (Yellow Card – Time Wasting)
Lineups:
New York City FC: Josh Saunders, Chris Wingert, Jason Hernandez, Shay Facey, RJ Allen, Andrew Jacobson, Andrea Pirlo, Ned Grabavoy (Khiry Shelton 73’), Mix Diskerud, Frank Lampard (Kwadwo Poku 68’), Patrick Mullins (Angelino 84’)
Unused substitutes: Ryan Meara, Jefferson Mena, Javier Calle, Mehdi Ballouchy
TOTAL SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 7
Toronto FC: Chris Konopka, Justin Morrow, Ahmed Kantari, Josh Williams, Marky Delgado, Michael Bradley, Benoit Cheyrou, Collen Warner (Damien Perquis 78’), Jonathan Osorio (Luke Moore 75’), Jozy Altidore (Herculez Gomez 83’), Sebastian Giovinco
Unused substitutes: Joseph Bendik, Eriq Zavaleta, Jay Chapman, Nick Hagglund
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 4
Referee: Chris Penso
Referee’s Assistants: Eric Boria, Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
4th Official: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 25,075
Photo Credit: Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports
