NYCFC Goals: Tinnerholm 22', Villa 33'
LA Galaxy Goals: J. Dos Santos 60'
A Quick Look
New York City FC’s perfect start to 2018 continued through an unforgettable Home Opener vs. LA Galaxy.
The Boys in Blue ran out 2-1 victors in this East vs. West showdown, thanks to first half goals from Anton Tinnerholm and David Villa.
Jonathan Dos Santos replied on the hour mark but it was not enough to deny City a third Home Opener victory out of four played.
Match Recap
It’s good to be back…
24 hours on from #SoccerNeverSleeps, the 24 Hour soccer game at Rockefeller plaza, the festival of football continued with the visit of a new-look LA Galaxy for the first Yankee Stadium bout of 2018.
Both sides enjoyed winning opening weekends, meaning that the league’s hottest start was on the line in this mouthwatering clash.
City roared out of the traps, asserting pressure on the Galaxy backline from the jump, almost taking the lead on 8’ when Yangel Herrera ripped a shot from 25 yards which had David Bingham scrambling across his goal but just whistled past the post.
On 22’, the Galaxy net did billow and it was a man making his home debut who made it happen
Jesus Medina unlocked the door, not for the final time in this game, with a stunning ball which spit two defenders and found Villa who squared it, leading to a loose ball which Tinnerholm smashed in off the underside of the crossbar.
It was an outrageously satisfying strike from the new boy as he put his laces through it and thundered it home to get the Bronx bouncing.
11 minutes later, it was the moment everyone was waiting for as Villa marked his 100th MLS appearance in predictable style…
Once again, Medina was the architect, leading a City counter charge which caught Galaxy on the hop, feeding Ben Sweat who forced a good save from Bingham but the ball fell invitingly for Villa to notch his 66th NYCFC goal.
2-0 up going in at the break, NYCFC kept their foot on the accelerator and created three quickfire chances to score in the first 15’ of the second period, but a combination of near-misses and good goalkeeping denied Moralez, Wallace and Herrera.
On the hour, Galaxy struck back against the run of play, when Jonathan Dos Santos came from nowhere to touch it in at the near post after Emmanuel Boateng crossed in from the left.
A chance to retake the lead followed in short order for Herrera but Bingham made a big save to keep Galaxy in striking range, before Ebenezer Ofori came on for his debut with 20’ to play, coming on in place of the excellent Medina.
For all of NYCFC’s dominance, it would have been a travesty if NYCFC had not taken all three points from this game and their task was made easier with 5' to play when Ashley Cole was sent-off for a second yellow card.
A couple of late tactical substitutions and that red card drew some of LA's sting, meaning NYCFC eased over the line for a second W of the new season.
Key Moment
The first goal in this game felt huge, with both teams coming in full of confidence off the back of big season-opening wins.
Thankfully, it was NYCFC who got it on 22', courtesy of the impressive Tinnerholm, who could not have dreamed of a better introduction to life at Yankee Stadium.
NYCFC.com Star of the Game
Anton Tinnerholm
The Swede took a nasty tackle from Dos Santos early on in the encounter but it did not knock him off his stride.
His stunning opening goal was only one part of a truly excellent home debut, as the former Malmo man bossed the right side, interchanging with Medina beautifully and winning the ball back for the Blues on numerous occasions.
Welcome to New York!
Social Post of the Match
Key Stats
- David Villa made his 100th MLS appearance for NYCFC
- Sebastien Ibeagha, Anton Tinnerholm and Jesus Medina made their home debuts for NYCFC
- Ebenezer Ofori made his NYCFC debut off the bench
- Tinnerholm scored his first goal for NYCFC
- Villa scored his 66th goal for City on his 100th MLS appearance
- NYCFC's Home Opener record now stands at W3-D1-L0
How We Lined Up
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Tinnerholm, Callens, Ibeagha, Sweat, Ring, Herrera, Moralez, Medina (Ofori 68'), Wallace, Villa (C) (Tajouri-Shradi 86')
Subs: Stuver, Hountondji, Matarrita, Awuah, McNamara
What’s Next
NYCFC hosts Orlando City at Yankee Stadium next Saturday at 3.30pm ET. Get your tickets below…
