By Sam Beresford Edited by Peter Cordi
On Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, 43,000 soccer fans witnessed history as one of the MLS’s newest clubs won their first-ever competitive match. Goals from David Villa and Patrick Mullins helped snatch the victory from the New England Revolution sent the NYCFC fans home happy.
The game started nervy, with neither team able to control the ball for long periods at a time. David Villa, once again, was the focal point in a strong NYCFC attack. NE goalkeeper, Bobby Shuttleworth, performed well with Villa and Nemec having shots blocked early on by the in-form keeper. Villa’s movement and mix of skill and pace made him too much for the NE defenders and it didn’t take long before he was on the score sheet. After 19 minutes, Villa picked the ball up mid-way through the Revolution half, he drove towards the defense with a purpose, after a quick one-two with midfielder Ned Grabavoy, Villa curled his shot beyond Shuttleworth sending the NYCFC faithful into jubilation for the first time in their new home.
The goal seemed to spur on New England who started do pass with more fluidity and they took a real hold of the game. NYCFC keeper Josh Saunders was in scintillating form denying the Revolution attack on multiple occasions and when Juan Agudelo had his fizzing header saved the whole New England team must have thought it was not their day.
New York started the second half as they would continue and it didn’t take long before Villa was one-on-one with the keeper after a precise through ball from Nemec, Shuttleworth was equal to it once again leaving Villa with his head in his hands, knowing he should of done better. After 62 minutes Villa was at it again with a sweetly struck volley which only equal to Shuttleworth’s brilliant acrobatic save, tipping the ball over the bar.
When rookie striker, Khiry Shelton, was brought in after 66 minutes it revitalised New York’s attack giving them a tricky, speedy option out wide. It only took him 60 seconds to prove right Manager Jason Kreis’ decision to bring him on, showing his quick burst of pace he breezed past the Revolution defenders before being brought down by defender Jose Goncalves. Goncalves saw straight red, giving New York the man advantage with just over 20 minutes to go.
New York used this newfound space excellently keeping the ball and not letting NE have a touch. When former New England striker Patrick Mullins came on for NYCFC he would have been wishing to finish this game off against his former employers. With 6 minutes to go Mullins got his wish, sweeping the ball into an open net after a cross from Villa much to the delight of Mullins and the NYCFC fans.
There will be many positives to take away from this first victory, mainly when on the attack. NYCFC, for the most part, looked comfortable on the ball and when Villa got involved they always looked like scoring, he looked a class above and proved why he has been such a top quality player throughout his career all over Europe. Villa and Nemec have seemed to of formed a solid partnership up front, one which the NYCFC fans will be looking forward to seeing more often. The defense looked shaky from both teams and it will no doubt need work if New York are to compete this season. Nonetheless, they kept the clean-sheet and the positives easily out way the negatives and NYCFC should be looking forward to a long and bright future ahead.
Colorado Rapids are up next for the boys in blue and white. Pablo Mastroeni’s men will provide a stern test, but New York will go into the fixture full of confidence and hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
On Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, 43,000 soccer fans witnessed history as one of the MLS’s newest clubs won their first-ever competitive match. Goals from David Villa and Patrick Mullins helped snatch the victory from the New England Revolution sent the NYCFC fans home happy.
The game started nervy, with neither team able to control the ball for long periods at a time. David Villa, once again, was the focal point in a strong NYCFC attack. NE goalkeeper, Bobby Shuttleworth, performed well with Villa and Nemec having shots blocked early on by the in-form keeper. Villa’s movement and mix of skill and pace made him too much for the NE defenders and it didn’t take long before he was on the score sheet. After 19 minutes, Villa picked the ball up mid-way through the Revolution half, he drove towards the defense with a purpose, after a quick one-two with midfielder Ned Grabavoy, Villa curled his shot beyond Shuttleworth sending the NYCFC faithful into jubilation for the first time in their new home.
The goal seemed to spur on New England who started do pass with more fluidity and they took a real hold of the game. NYCFC keeper Josh Saunders was in scintillating form denying the Revolution attack on multiple occasions and when Juan Agudelo had his fizzing header saved the whole New England team must have thought it was not their day.
New York started the second half as they would continue and it didn’t take long before Villa was one-on-one with the keeper after a precise through ball from Nemec, Shuttleworth was equal to it once again leaving Villa with his head in his hands, knowing he should of done better. After 62 minutes Villa was at it again with a sweetly struck volley which only equal to Shuttleworth’s brilliant acrobatic save, tipping the ball over the bar.
When rookie striker, Khiry Shelton, was brought in after 66 minutes it revitalised New York’s attack giving them a tricky, speedy option out wide. It only took him 60 seconds to prove right Manager Jason Kreis’ decision to bring him on, showing his quick burst of pace he breezed past the Revolution defenders before being brought down by defender Jose Goncalves. Goncalves saw straight red, giving New York the man advantage with just over 20 minutes to go.
New York used this newfound space excellently keeping the ball and not letting NE have a touch. When former New England striker Patrick Mullins came on for NYCFC he would have been wishing to finish this game off against his former employers. With 6 minutes to go Mullins got his wish, sweeping the ball into an open net after a cross from Villa much to the delight of Mullins and the NYCFC fans.
There will be many positives to take away from this first victory, mainly when on the attack. NYCFC, for the most part, looked comfortable on the ball and when Villa got involved they always looked like scoring, he looked a class above and proved why he has been such a top quality player throughout his career all over Europe. Villa and Nemec have seemed to of formed a solid partnership up front, one which the NYCFC fans will be looking forward to seeing more often. The defense looked shaky from both teams and it will no doubt need work if New York are to compete this season. Nonetheless, they kept the clean-sheet and the positives easily out way the negatives and NYCFC should be looking forward to a long and bright future ahead.
Colorado Rapids are up next for the boys in blue and white. Pablo Mastroeni’s men will provide a stern test, but New York will go into the fixture full of confidence and hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the season.