NY CITY SOCCER DERBY – NYCFC Blow Past New York Red Bulls … Finally.
Unlike the match in May, this time the New York Red Bulls were not dominated New York City FC and the Reds lost to the Blues in this action packed MLS regular season game at Yankee Stadium. While soccer fans were not thrilled with the lackluster beginning, now NYCFC is building power as they find victory on the field – and now, after Game 18 — and three consecutive wins — who knows what can come. One thing is for sure, Jack Harrison was a great pick up at the MLS Super Draft.
MLS Soccer News: The New York City FC shut out the New York Red Bulls 2-0 as the MLS season heats up.
For the first time in history, New York City FC defeated the Red Bulls. Now NYC has a real soccer rivalry to exit fans and gain traction for the sport.
New York City FC has won three games in a row (matching a season high) and has moved into sole possession of 1st place in the Eastern Conference.
Important Tid Bits:
- Jack Harrison scored in the 8th minute, his second goal of the season, and the second home game in a row that New York City FC tallied in the 8th minute.
- David Villa continues to lead the MLS Golden Boot race after scoring his league-high 12th goal of the season.
- Josh Saunders collected his second consecutive clean sheet.
Scoring Summary:
08’ – NYC – Jack Harrison (Assisted By: Andrea Pirlo)66’ – NYC – David Villa (Assisted By: Jack Harrison)
From the Coach:
Compared to the 7-0 loss to the Red Bulls before … how did the esteemed French former footballer feel?
“We had all week to prepare for the game,” said NYC FC head Coach Patrick Vieira. “We were a completely new version of New York City because we had a week to prepare for the game. Mentally and physically we were prepared to play a derby game and that wasn’t the case when we played the first game. Today I was really pleased. We worked hard. We worked well. I strongly believe that we had the best team today.” As a pro, Vieira played for Manchester City, Arsenal and Juventus among other professional soccer teams.
Even Midfielder Andrea Pirlo remembered the embarrassment last time these two teams met on the field. “It was a great match and the last time we may have lost 7-0 but this time we were able to come back,” said Pirlo.“We are working on improving match after match and we will have to see if we can make it to the championship.”
Match Recap from NYCFC:
Jack Harrison scored his second professional goal and set up David Villa for his MLS-leading 12th goal of the season to help lift New York City FC to a 2-0 win over the Red Bulls in the sixth installment of the New York Derby Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
The victory, NYCFC’s third in a row, gave the Club sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, one point in front of the Philadelphia Union.
Harrison put NYCFC (7-5-6) in front in the eighth minute when he latched onto an Andrea Pirlo, evaded Mike Grella with his second touch and then put a low shot off Luis Robles and in from 14 yards for his second goal of the season.
Villa doubled NYCFC’s lead in the 66th minute with his first goal in five derby matches. Off a quick counter, Frank Lampard sprung Harrison, who raced down the right side. Harrison played a sublime ball across the box to a sprinting Villa, who tapped in from seven yards out.
It was Villa’s league-leading 12th goal of the season.
The Red Bulls (7-9-2) finished the match with 10 men after Chris Duvall received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Pirlo in the 79th minute.
Villa had two quality chances to extend NYCFC’s lead before the interval, but Robles did well to dive to his right in the 37th minute and then the captain’s attempt from 20 yards deflected out for a corner one minute before halftime.
Villa nearly had a brace three minutes from full time when he danced around Dax McCarty and into space, but his curling effort was just over the crossbar.
Vieira was please with his teams performance and believes he had the best team on the field.
“I think being on top of the league at this point in time doesn’t mean a lot,” said Vieira. “What I’m pleased with is our performance and the way we played today because people were expecting a reaction from us from the way we played in the last game against them. I’m really pleased because the team was really organized, determined, and worked really well for each other – and of course, taking the three points because what is important for us is trying to have this kind of consistency game after game. I’m also really pleased because we didn’t concede a goal. This was our second game where we didn’t concede a goal and I’m really pleased with that as well.”
Midfielder Tommy McNamara agreed with Vieira and said, “It was nice to get a win in the Derby but at the end of the day its 3 points. It’s a long season so we may be at the top of the derby right now but there’s no guarantee that we are going to be there at the end of the year. We have to stay humble and hopefully there is more to come going forward.”
Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports – Top Image / New York City FC midfielder Jack Harrison (11) celebrates with midfielder Frank Lampard (8) and forward David Villa (7) after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
