New York City FC Edge Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium
New York City FC close out a 3-2 win versus the Philadelphia Union after taking a three goal lead in the first 50 minutes of play at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. NYCFC were led by its three international stars as the club comes off a stunning loss to the New York Cosmos in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last week.
Soccer News: Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo each scored a goal to lift New York City FC to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The win ended a four-match winless streak for NYCFC, which moved into second place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Union, who had an eight-match MLS unbeaten streak snapped.
Lampard made the most of his first start of the season, scoring his first goal of the campaign on eight minutes.
“It was a real team effort. You win or lose as a group, but I think we’re all very determined characters, no matter what we’ve done elsewhere in our careers,” Lampard said.
R.J. Allen continued a strong run down the right flank before crossing to the top of the 18-yard box. Tommy McNamara’s shot deflected off a Union defender and Lampard pounced on the rebound, scoring with his left from eight yards out.
After putting a shot from nearly 50 yards out off the crossbar, Villa netted his league-leading 11th goal of the year in the 21st minute. Josh Saunders corralled a Tranquillo Barnetta corner kick and quickly sent an outlet pass to Villa.
The captain momentarily lost possession, but Harrison gained it back quickly and charged up the middle of the field and into the Union 18-yard box. With two Philadelphia defenders converging, Harrison cleverly sent a back pass to Villa, who fired low first time to the left of Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Pirlo scored his first Major League Soccer goal in the 50th minute, slipping a 20-yard free kick around the Union wall and past a flat-footed Blake to give NYCFC (5-5-6) a 3-0 lead.
The Union (6-4-5) pulled a goal back five minutes later when Ronald Alberg scored from the penalty spot. NYCFC played the final five minutes of regulation with 10 men after Jason Hernandez was sent off for his second bookable offense.or his second bookable offense,” said Lampard.
Head Coach Patrick Vieira was pleased with response from his team as the club came off a stunning loss versus the New York Cosmos in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“This is what you expect from your leaders. I was very pleased but I was looking for more of a team reaction. Everybody was very concerned about losing to the club, and I was looking for the team reaction.” stated Vieira.
Source: New York City FC.
