By Sam Beresford
Philadelphia Union hosted New York City FC at PPL Park Saturday evening.
Union were hoping for their first win all season, while NYCFC were hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City two weeks previous.
All New York City fans breathed huge sigh of relief as it was announced that star man David Villa would be lining up for the blue and white’s after a spell on the side line through injury.
Philadelphia started the game on the front foot, with Ayuk hitting the side netting after only a minute.
New York struggled to get going and Philadelphia created a lot more chances, they controlled possession well during the first 10 minutes.
New York struggled to retain possession with Williams and Nemec giving the ball away on numerous occasions for the visitors.
The best opportunity of the game so far came in the 22nd minute, when Wenger pulled the ball to the edge of the box where Nogueira was waiting, he stung Saunders fingertips as the keeper saved down to his right.
The first goal of the game came from promising winger Ayuk after 27 minutes.
Le Toux raced down the left hand side, then he passed the ball across the goal where Ayuk was there to tap the ball into an open net, jubilation hit the young winger as he celebrated his first MLS goal with multiple back-flips.
However, after further review Philadelphia Union have confirmed that Ayuk’s shot had hit Zachary Pfeffer and the goal was awarded to him.
New York nearly equalised 2 minutes later however, Nemec’s goal was disallowed as the ball was deemed out by the Linesman, who had a good view of the situation, before Villa crossed the ball to the striker.
The first half ended with Union deservedly leading by one goal to nil.
Jason Kreis would have been disappointed with his team as they struggled to retain possession and didn’t pose debut keeper Jason McCarthy a threat during the first 45 minutes.
Rookie striker Khiry Shelton came on for Sebastian Velasquez at half time as Kreis tried to get NYCFC back into the game.
On the other hand, Jim Curtin must have been over the moon with his side’s performance as they dominated from start to finish, Ayuk was their star performer broadcasting his mixture of pace and skill, he was unlucky not to put a goal to his name.
The second half started slowly with neither team taking a grasp of the game, there were no clear cut opportunities for either side however, the arrival of Shelton for NYCFC looked to be a good move for the visitors as he showed his pace and ability early on.
New York equalised against the run of play after 55 minutes when David Villa scored his second goal of the season.
Shelton and Nemec linked up nicely before slipping the ball across the goal to Villa who kept his composure rounding the last defender and slotting the ball into an open net.
The goal seemed to spur New York on, who were now passing with more purpose and looked to pose more of a threat to McCarthy’s goal.
Villa and Nemec both had chances to take the lead but they could not convert their chances.
Union substitute CJ Sapong came close for the hosts, he showed good strength holding of a defender on the edge of the box before unleashing a curling shot that Josh Saunders did well to hold on to and keep away from the on rushing strikers.
Sapong came close once again as the two Union substitutes, Sapong and Casey, combined however, Sapong’s volley whistled agonisingly past Saunders’ right hand post. A let off for NYCFC who should have gone behind once again.
Wenger came so close to snatching a late goal as he played a clever one-two on the edge of the box that opened up the NYCFC defense, before his powerful shot skimmed the upright.
Union’s winner finally came in the 91st minute as Wenger lifted the ball into the box, Saunders punched clear but only as far as Vincent Nogueira who slammed the ball past Brovsky on the line, sending the Union faithful into jubilation as they secured their first win of the season.
Overall, Philadelphia Union deserved their 3 points however, NYCFC did dominate possession (mainly in the second half) and they would have been disappointed at the time they let in the goal.
NYCFC did not get forward enough and kept the ball around their back four and failed to create many chances.
The loss puts NYCFC into 6th position and Union moved up to 8th both in the Eastern conference of the MLS.
These two sides meet again next Friday at Yankee Stadium; the blue and white’s will be hoping to get revenge and end this two game losing streak.
Philadelphia Union hosted New York City FC at PPL Park Saturday evening.
Union were hoping for their first win all season, while NYCFC were hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City two weeks previous.
All New York City fans breathed huge sigh of relief as it was announced that star man David Villa would be lining up for the blue and white’s after a spell on the side line through injury.
Philadelphia started the game on the front foot, with Ayuk hitting the side netting after only a minute.
New York struggled to get going and Philadelphia created a lot more chances, they controlled possession well during the first 10 minutes.
New York struggled to retain possession with Williams and Nemec giving the ball away on numerous occasions for the visitors.
The best opportunity of the game so far came in the 22nd minute, when Wenger pulled the ball to the edge of the box where Nogueira was waiting, he stung Saunders fingertips as the keeper saved down to his right.
The first goal of the game came from promising winger Ayuk after 27 minutes.
Le Toux raced down the left hand side, then he passed the ball across the goal where Ayuk was there to tap the ball into an open net, jubilation hit the young winger as he celebrated his first MLS goal with multiple back-flips.
However, after further review Philadelphia Union have confirmed that Ayuk’s shot had hit Zachary Pfeffer and the goal was awarded to him.
New York nearly equalised 2 minutes later however, Nemec’s goal was disallowed as the ball was deemed out by the Linesman, who had a good view of the situation, before Villa crossed the ball to the striker.
The first half ended with Union deservedly leading by one goal to nil.
Jason Kreis would have been disappointed with his team as they struggled to retain possession and didn’t pose debut keeper Jason McCarthy a threat during the first 45 minutes.
Rookie striker Khiry Shelton came on for Sebastian Velasquez at half time as Kreis tried to get NYCFC back into the game.
On the other hand, Jim Curtin must have been over the moon with his side’s performance as they dominated from start to finish, Ayuk was their star performer broadcasting his mixture of pace and skill, he was unlucky not to put a goal to his name.
The second half started slowly with neither team taking a grasp of the game, there were no clear cut opportunities for either side however, the arrival of Shelton for NYCFC looked to be a good move for the visitors as he showed his pace and ability early on.
New York equalised against the run of play after 55 minutes when David Villa scored his second goal of the season.
Shelton and Nemec linked up nicely before slipping the ball across the goal to Villa who kept his composure rounding the last defender and slotting the ball into an open net.
The goal seemed to spur New York on, who were now passing with more purpose and looked to pose more of a threat to McCarthy’s goal.
Villa and Nemec both had chances to take the lead but they could not convert their chances.
Union substitute CJ Sapong came close for the hosts, he showed good strength holding of a defender on the edge of the box before unleashing a curling shot that Josh Saunders did well to hold on to and keep away from the on rushing strikers.
Sapong came close once again as the two Union substitutes, Sapong and Casey, combined however, Sapong’s volley whistled agonisingly past Saunders’ right hand post. A let off for NYCFC who should have gone behind once again.
Wenger came so close to snatching a late goal as he played a clever one-two on the edge of the box that opened up the NYCFC defense, before his powerful shot skimmed the upright.
Union’s winner finally came in the 91st minute as Wenger lifted the ball into the box, Saunders punched clear but only as far as Vincent Nogueira who slammed the ball past Brovsky on the line, sending the Union faithful into jubilation as they secured their first win of the season.
Overall, Philadelphia Union deserved their 3 points however, NYCFC did dominate possession (mainly in the second half) and they would have been disappointed at the time they let in the goal.
NYCFC did not get forward enough and kept the ball around their back four and failed to create many chances.
The loss puts NYCFC into 6th position and Union moved up to 8th both in the Eastern conference of the MLS.
These two sides meet again next Friday at Yankee Stadium; the blue and white’s will be hoping to get revenge and end this two game losing streak.