New York City FC Top LA Galaxy at Yankee Stadium
New York City FC extend their lead atop the Eastern Conference following a 1-0 victory over LA Galaxy at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. David Villa recorded the match’s lone goal as he brings his scoring tally to a league-leading 16th goal of the season as NYCFC prepare to take on Orlando City SC on Sunday.
MLS Soccer News: New York City FC close out the weekend with a massive 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy at Yankee Stadium. David Villa’s lone goal led NYCFC to a win in front of 35,509 spectators in the sixth minute as New York brings their current undefeated streak to four matches.
NYCFC (11-7-8) extended their lead atop the Eastern Conference to four points over Toronto FC, while LA Galaxy (9-4-11) had their nine-game unbeaten streak snapped.
Villa gave NYCFC the early lead off the rebound of a shot by Ronald Matarrita that LA Galaxy goalkeeper Clement Diop got a piece of and tapped in from the edge of the six-yard box. The Spaniard brings his scoring tally to 16 on the season as NYCFC streaks to a 4-1-1 record in their last six games at Yankee Stadium.
Villa had an opportunity for a second goal in the 35th minute. Andrea Pirlo picked off a Daniel Steres attempted clearance and slipped a pass to Villa, whose first shot was saved by Diop. Villa’s second chance with his left foot went off the outside netting.
Both teams went end-to-end two minutes from halftime with Josh Saunders batting away a Nigel De Jong bicycle kick and Diop parrying away a Jack Harrison shot for an NYCFC corner.
Harrison put a shot just over the crossbar from 20 yards out in the 66th minute. Ten minutes later, Pirlo put a free kick from 22 yards out over the net.
“We definitely need to put more room just to come down to that spot in the playoffs. I think that’s our main goal right now, just to play well and do as well as we can,” said Harrison.
NYCFC travel on Sunday to take on Kaká and Orlando City SC who are coming off back-to-back draws in the last two weeks, while Los Angeles return home to face off against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Source: New York City FC
