New England Goals: Fagundez 11’, Agudelo 63’
NYCFC Goals: Tajouri-Shradi 51’ & 75’
Quick Look…
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi was once again the hero for New York City FC as he scored two equalizing goals in a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution.
The Swiss-born forward netted both in the second half to keep City unbeaten for 2018 with three wins and one draw.
Match Recap…
NYCFC arrived in Foxborough aiming to make it four wins from four MLS games but it was not an easy task that was in front of them.
The Revolution came into this one after winning eight of their last nine games on their notoriously challenging turf pitch and Patrick Vieira was without the injured Ronald Matarrita, Alex Ring and David Villa, as well as Rodney Wallace, who was away on international duty.
Defeated at New England in three of their last four visits, the Boys in Blue got off to a disappointing start on this occasion too, slipping to a concession with 11 minutes on the clock.
Diego Fagundez was the man to profit from some frenetic New England pressing, taking aim from 20 yards and finding the back of the net via the inside of the post.
Sean Johnson had to come to his side’s rescue with a strong block a couple of minutes later before City had a couple of sights of goal themselves.
First, Yangel Herrera swiveled and struck from distance, forcing Matt Tuner into an unbelievable fingertip save when the shot had looked in all the way.
From the resulting set-piece, the ball eventually broke to Jo Inge Berget, who almost marked his debut with a goal but the angle was against him, and Turner made another scrambling stop.
These chances seemed to mark a sea change in the encounter as the away team began to impose themselves on their opposition, with passes now connecting and the Boys in Blue keeping the ball in more advanced areas.
That said, it was the Revs who went closest to the game’s second goal in the remaining minutes of the half, when Pinella found the woodwork when he opened up his body and tried to pick out the far corner.
All things considered, NYCFC were perhaps a little fortunate to get in just one goal down after a tough first 45’ but they came out for the second half looking more like the team we’ve watched over the first three weeks of the season.
Six minutes after the restart, it was game on as the visitors scored from a stunning counter-attack.
Jesus Medina found Saad Abdul-Salaam on the overlap and the right-back’s ball in was perfect, allowing Tajouri-Shradi to step onto it and slot home coolly for his second goal in as many starts for his new Club.
The teams would be level for just ten minutes, however, as the hosts retook the lead through substitute Juan Agudelo, who headed in at the back post to make it 2-1.
City would have to come back again and when they did, it was that man Tajouri-Shradi who produced again.
Racing onto Herrera’s pass, Isi didn’t need to think twice, thrashing the ball into the roof of the net with a rocket of a finish for his second equalizer of the day.
That was how it stayed, meaning NYCFC came out of one of their toughest road games with a point, staying unbeaten for 2018 in the process.
Key Moment…
Twice Tajouri-Shradi hit back for City when they were down but it was his second equalizer that really caught the eye as he thrashed it past Turner with an explosive hit.
NYCFC.com Star of the Game…
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi
It had to be Isi!
With three goals in two starts for NYCFC, this guy is quickly becoming a new hero for the Boys in Blue.
For his first, Tajouri-Shradi had to keep his concentration and keep the shot down, while his second was an unstoppable rocket into the roof of the net, capping a perfect day for the former Austria Wien player.
Social Post of the Match…
Stats and Milestones
- Jo Inge Berget made his debut for NYCFC
- Ebenezer Ofori was named in the starting XI for the first time since he joined in the offseason
- Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored his second and third goals for NYCFC
- It was Saad Abdul-Salaam’s first assist for his new club
- NYCFC are still unbeaten for 2018 (W3-D1-L0)
How They Lined Up…
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Abdul-Salaam, Chanot, Callens, Sweat, Ofori (Ibeagha 87’), Herrera, Moralez, Medina, Tajouri-Shradi, Berget
SUBS: Stuver, Tinnerholm, Awuah, Sands, McNamara, Lewis
What’s Next…
NYCFC gets back on the road next week, traveling to San Jose to take on the Earthquakes at 8pm next Saturday.
