NYCFC 3 – 1 Montreal Impact
Another Major League Soccer battle between two sides that are struggling to find their form lately, both being at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference table. New York was by far the better side tonight.
June 14, 2015
Hosts New York City Football Club have a lot to prove tonight, at their temporary home of Yankee Stadium. The MLS expansion team just cut last week an 11-game winless streak (winning last week against Philadelphia), and still sits at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, having played 14 games this season (2-7-5), and scored 14 goals.
Visitors Montreal Impact are ranked 8th in the MLS Eastern Conference, having played 10 games this season so far (4-4-2) and scored 14 goals this season. Montreal have won their past 2 games (over Vancouver and Columbus).
Both New York’s Coach Jason Kreis and Montreal’s Coach Frank Klopas are starting with similar attaching formations. NYCFC with Josh Sanuders starting at goal; RJ Allen, Jason Hernandez, Shay Facey and Chris Wingert (D) at the back. Andrew Jacobson (M) as a defensive midfield. Mehdi Ballaouchy (M) and Thomas McNamara (D) in midfield. Ned Grabavoy (M) as attacking midfield, and Patrick Mullins and David Villa (F) up front.
Montreal’s Evan Bush starting at goal; back 4 are Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Wandrille Lefevre and Victor Cabrera (D); with half backs Calum Mallace and Nigen Rio Coker (M); Eric Alexander, Ignacio Platti and Andres Romero (M) in midfield and Jack Mclnemey (F) up front.
In the 1st half, NYCFC appeared to be on top, having more possession, dictating most of the game tempo, firing more shots on target and creating opportunities. The first notable attempts of the game came from New York’s side, with David Villa with a header from the centre of the box (11’) and then a left-footed shot, again from the centre of the box that was blocked. Montreal’s first attempt came shortly thereafter, with Jack Mclnerney missing a header from the right side (29’). NYCFC kept assisting with Andrew Jacobson firing a close shot from outside the box, but missing to the right (30’).
NYCFC were finally rewarded for their hard work a minute later, with David Villa scoring his 4th goal of this MLS season (30’) with Patrick Mullins passing the ball to Mehdi Ballouchy on the left, who in turn kicks across to the right to find Villa.
NYCFC 1 – 0 Montreal Impact
Montreal tried to get back into the game and created the first notable chances of the game later in the 1st half, with Andres Romero (37’) to be denied by Sounders, and Calum Mallace missing a header from the centre of the box (38’). Followed by a few more attempts by New York with Thomas McNamara (40’ and 42’).
On the 2nd half, David Villa continued to create chances for New York, with a shot from 8 yards that was missed. NYCFC continued to dictate the pace for the game, and Mix Diskerud, who came in on the 65’ minute, scored his second goal this MLS season (76’). Kwadwo Poku, who also came on instead of Patrick Mullins a minute earlier (75’) passes from the left top of the box straight across to Diskerud that was wide open on the right top. Mix fired in a shot and found the net.
NYCFC 2 – 0 Montreal Impact
Closer to stoppage time, Montreal closed the gap with its first goal. A free kick from the far left by Laurent Ciman to the centre of the box found Wandrille Lefevre, who scored with a header (88’). Just as New York thought it can start celebrating not only a victory but also a clean sheet, and a few intense minutes will now come about as Lefevre brought Montreal back to life.
NYCFC 2 – 1 Montreal Impact
However, Montreal’s hopes were short lived, as David Villa sends a brilliant ball from outside the box from the left, around the 10-yard line – across to Kwandwo Poku, who shoots into the back of the net from the right (90’), earning the Ghanaian National his 1st goal in Major League Soccer and sealing the win for New York City Football Club.
NYCFC 3 – 1 Montreal Impact
A great, and well-deserved win for NYCFC in this MLS match, as the hosts at Yankee Stadium owned the game.
