NYC FC Falls to FC Dallas 2-1
Soccer News: Patrick Mullins converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute as New York City FC dropped a 2-1 decision against FC Dallas in front of 16,937 on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium.
Tesho Akindole and Michel scored for the home side.
New York City FC fall to 7-14-7 (28 points), while FC Dallas improve to 14-8-5 (47 points).
After a back-and-forth first half, it was FC Dallas who found the back of the net first – scoring both goals in a four-minute span right before the halftime whistle.
Akindole got the ball on the right wing, drove at a defender and cut inside before rifling his right-footed attempt into the top far corner for a 1-0 advantage in the 45th minute.
FC Dallas wasn’t content going into the break with a one-goal cushion. Three minutes later Akindole had a similar run, but his shot was blocked by defender Shay Facey for a corner kick.
Midfielder Michel curled the ensuing corner kick into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead in first-half stoppage time.
The score remained 2-0 at the break.
New York City FC was forced to make their first substitution before the second half began as captain David Villa was replaced by Mullins due to a hamstring injury.
The Club had chances, including a teasing cross from the right side by Angelino that just went over Mullins’ head in the 48th minute.
Andrea Pirlo had a pair of free kicks from 25+ yards that went over the crossbar.
New York City FC kept pressing to get on the scoresheet and it was a foul on Ned Grabavoy in the box that aided in accomplishing just that.
Mullins chipped the ball into the box, but Grabavoy was taken down by Atiba Harris in the 69th minute as the referee pointed to the spot. Mullins calmly slotted the ball into the lower right-hand corner to make it 2-1.
It was Mullins’ fifth goal of the season.
New York City FC had chances to share the spoils in the waning minutes, but rookie goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez kept the visitors out for a second time. Angelino’s shot from distance in the 85th was parried away by the ’keeper.
Jason Hernandez got his head onto a corner kick in stoppage time, but it was deflected away by an FC Dallas defender. Goalie Josh Saunders even came into the penalty area for a chance, but was called for a foul.
“For me, I thought our reaction in the second half was great,” said Saunders. “I thought we put a lot of fight out there. I thought we did well to press them in their half. We almost executed a good first half. Unfortunate four minutes, and then I made a mistake. On the second goal, I came off on the corner kick that I needed to execute a play on, so I take responsibility for us losing this game. I didn’t make a play that I should have, but the fight was there.”
“I was actually really pleased,” said NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis. “I felt this was a really solid effort on our group’s part. I thought that collectively they were willing and able to battle a little bit more than I had seen them over the past several weeks. So really pleased with the effort and commitment level, and obviously just a little disappointed we couldn’t quite get that goal tonight to level things.”
New York City FC return to the field for a pair of home matches next week. The Club hosts Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC on Wednesday. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium (ESPN 2, 570 AM, WQBU).
Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
