New York City FC – Toronto FC
It’s all about the Designated Players tonight, with David Villa scoring and Sebastian Giovinco scoring his 1st MLS hat trick.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
A crowd 25,000 strong in Yankee Stadium tonight, which is becoming a norm in New York soccer. This is even before Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo make their debut appearances.
It is great to see the MLS Designated Players coming to the league and giving their best. This will soon follow with younger world-class players at their prime choosing to come and play at Major League Soccer. And regarding Pirlo and Lampard? Although they are both “on the wrong side of 30”, they are two soccer legends that have a lot left in them.
Both of sides from the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference met tonight at Yankee Stadium. Toronto FC ranked 6th, with 23 points, 16 games played (7-7-2), meeting hosts NYCFC that are still struggling at the bottom of the table, ranked 9th, 18 games played (5-8-5).
The last time these teams met was during the MLS regular season at Toronto on June 20th, with visitors New York City FC winning 2-0.
Toronto FC are also recovering from a 4th of July game against MLS Western Conference side LA Galaxy, losing away 4-0, and prior to that drawing 0-0 at home against D.C. United – so all in all a 3-game winless streak.
New York City FC have won on July 4th away 2-1 at another Canadian Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact, but previously have lost at home 3-1 to NY rivals Red Bulls.
The highlight of this game was supposed to be the debut of New York’s new designated player Frank Lampard. However he is not playing due to a calf injury. Still, there was no less excitement provided by the other Major League Soccer Designated Players of both sides: NYCFC’s David Villa and Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco.
The first 15 minutes the game seemed to be deadlocked, with no side being able to create any opportunities and chances. Soon thereafter, all hell broke loose.
Thomas McNamara wins a free kick on the left edge of the box (16’), ending with David Villa scoring a beautiful goal from a free kick (17’). NYCFC 1 – 0 Toronto FC
10 minutes later, Thomas McNamara draws a foul in the penalty area, when he is trying to regain ball control by his chest and brought down by 4 Toronto players (28’). David Villa kicks a penalty that is saved by Toronto keeper Chris Konopka. However, a great gamble by New York’s Mehdi Ballouchy who decides to follow through into the box after the penalty is kicked, tries to kick it in again and the ball is deflected by Toronto’s Damien Perquis for an own goal (29’). NYCFC 2 – 0 Toronto FC
Yet another penalty is conceded by New York City’s Kwame Watson-Siriboe, questionably drawn by Toronto’s Daniel Lovitz (33’), who seems to go down too easily in the box. The Penalty is missed by Sebastian Giovinco, who takes a poor shot and hits the left post. Some may say that justice was done.
Giovinco however does get his say a short time later, when he kicks yet another penalty, to the exact same area (lower-left corner), however this time with surgical precision and scores a fantastic equalizer (34’). NYCFC 2 – 2 Toronto FC
Continuing to make attempts all night to go behind New York’s back 4, and taking full advantage of the panic and confusion in NYCFC’s defence, Giovinco carries on to score 2 more goals (40’, 43’), and scores his first Major League Soccer hat trick. NYCFC 2 – 3 Toronto FC
However, New York’s David Villa keeps fighting his for his own side, makes a fantastic run and draws a foul in the penalty box, when he is brought down by Toronto’s keeper Chris Konopka. Villa continues to capitalize on the penalty kick and score an equalizer for New York City FC (65’). NYCFC 3 – 3 Toronto FC
Sebastian Giovnico was not finished with his hat trick, and kept on making attempts. Making a magnificent run into the left of the box, and shooting to teammate Marco Delgado who scores from the centre of the box (82’). NYCFC 3 – 4 Toronto FC
I still did not end until the last minutes of regulation time, with New York Patrick Mullins heading a goal for an equalizer again (84’), which is the final goal of the game. NYCFC 4 – 4 Toronto FC
There was no defense was certainly not up to par for either team, and the attacking players on both sides took advantage of that and provided us what was probably one of the best soccer matches in MLS History.
