New York City FC 1, New England Revolution 3
Soccer News: New York City FC closed out its inaugural season with a record of 10-17-7. San day for New York but a great first season for the NYCFC.
NYCFC received a David Villa penalty kick goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Lee Nguyen, Charlie Davies and Kelyn Rowe scored for the New England Revolution.
Before conceding a second goal, NYCFC looked more likely to equalize. In the 10th minute, Villa set up Tommy McNamara with a nifty backheel, but the second-year midfielder rolled his shot wide of the far post.
In the 32nd minute, an unmarked Chris Wingert latched onto an RJ Allen cross, putting a downward header over the bar.
Five minutes later, Allen again connected with Wingert, who put a diving header on frame, but New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth made the save.
Late in the first half, two of New York City FC’s Designated Players nearly pulled their club a goal back.
In the 41st minute, Frank Lampard rattled the crossbar from 20 yards out and four minutes later Andrea Pirlo nearly snuck a 29-yard free kick inside the near post, but Shuttleworth dove to his left to parry it away.
Moments after coming on for Andrew Jacobson, Patrick Mullins nearly scored for New York City FC, but Shuttleworth corralled after initially bobbling his attempt from the top of the 18-yard box in the 76th minute.
In the 89th minute, Pirlo set up for a free kick from 27 yards out, but put it just over the crossbar.
Villa converted a penalty kick – his 18th goal of the season, putting his attempt low and to the left after Daigo Kobayashi was called for a hand ball in the box.
With this evening’s 3-1 win over NYCFC, the New England Revolution have clinched the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
New York City FC will face the Puerto Rican National Team in a post-season friendly match on Friday, December, 11 at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón.
Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
