A late Xavier Kouassi equalizer denied NYCFC a winning return to Yankee Stadium.
Here’s what we learned from Wednesday night in the Bronx…
Dropped Points
The frustration was written all over Patrick Vieira’s face as the final whistle sounded following the 2-2 tie with New England Revolution.
Having watched his side lose a lead twice, there’s no question that this was seen as two points dropped, rather than one gained.
It was the first time NYCFC have failed to bounce back from a defeat with a win in the next game and the first time the home team have conceded a goal in the last 15 minutes of a match in 2017.
Despite the vexation, it was not a terminal result by any means as we are still in fifth place in the Conference, a point clear of Red Bulls who occupy the final playoff berth and three ahead of Atlanta United in seventh.
With a run of games either at home or over in New Jersey between now and July 5th, NYCFC now need to take out their frustrations on our upcoming opponents and make up the points lost against New England.
Camargoal
Talk about an inspired substitution…
Miguel Camargo has had to show some patience in the early months of his NYCFC career as the 23-year old has adapted to his new surroundings but he made a huge impact on Wednesday night.
The Panamanian international had only been on the field for three minutes when he headed in his first MLS goal.
Arriving at the back post with a stooping header, Camargo found the back of the net with a goal that looked as though it might give his side all three points.
As we know now, that didn’t turn out to be the case, but getting off the mark will surely give the forward a boost of confidence going into this next run of matches.
Jack Flash
Jack Harrison was called out by YES Network pundit Ian Joy as the one to watch for NYCFC in the early minutes of the game and that proved to be a sound prediction.
The winger has been one of the standout players in the league in the first 14 games of the campaign, taking yet another leap forward after his Rookie of the Year nominated Freshman season.
Harrison has already scored two more goals in 2017 (6) than he scored in the whole of 2016 (4), despite having player seven games fewer – a remarkable return from the Englishman who spoke of a need to add more goals to his game in the offseason.
That Assist
Jack’s finish was straightforward but there was nothing rudimentary about the creation of the night’s opening goal.
Few other players in MLS can carve open a defense single-handedly the way David Villa did as he slalomed his way through two challenges and squared for his teammate with a pass that put the goal on a silver platter.
His wait for a 50th MLS goal goes on but he made a decisive contribution in this one…
Bringing the Noise
Finally, a shoutout to the 20,193 fans who turned out for this midweek matchup and made themselves heard throughout the night.
The atmosphere was rocking on a beautiful night in the Bronx as supporters really brought it and roared the boys on.
Let’s have more of the same on Saturday when Philadelphia Union come to town…
