NYCFC Goals: Wallace 7mins, Villa 27 & 74mins, Moralez 37mins
DC United Goals:
Quick Look…
Off and running! NYCFC made it a Home Opener to remember, defeating DC United 4-0 thanks to goals from Rodney Wallace, David Villa (2) and Maxi Moralez.
What Happened…
Welcome home...
On an ice-cold day in the Bronx, the boys in blue brought the heat to Etihad Pitch in front of 24,259 fans, securing their first three points of the 2017 MLS season.
It had been a disappointing opening night in Orlando for Vieira’s men last Sunday as a whole host of chances went to waste but it didn’t take long for NYCFC to take out their frustrations on DC United.
Jack Harrison was unfortunate not to get the opening goal himself as he cut inside from the right flank and beat Bill Hamid all ends up but, when it came back off the underside of the crossbar, Wallace was there to acrobatically volley in his first goal for the club he joined in the offseason.
The visitors had the ball in the net two minutes later when Lloyd Sam turned in from close range but it was correctly ruled out due to an offside call.
The pace of Harrison and Wallace on the counter was causing no end of problems to the DC backline and it was from this source that the lead was doubled.
Wallace served up a deep cross to the back post and Villa seemed to hang in the air for an eterninity before stooping his header back where it came from and into the bottom corner beyond Hamid’s despairing dive.
2-0 didn’t flatter Vieira’s men and it got even better as the half-time interval approached when the team’s newest DP introduced himself in some style.
Villa loaded the bullet, splitting the defense with a perfectly weighted pass and there was Moralez who calmly pushed the ball past Hamid for the third.
That capped a half of total domination for NYCFC but could they keep the pedal to the metal after the interval?
Sean Johnson made a crucial save with his feet to prevent DC from getting on the board through Patrick Nyarko two minutes into the half and he made another great stop from the opposition no.12 on the hour, racing out and blocking at the midfielder's feet.
Following those two scares, Villa put the game beyond the visitors with 15 minutes to go, embarking on a mazy run through the heart of the defense and somehow squeezing it past Hamid from the tighest of angles.
The perfect opening day.
Key Moment…
Following the luckless evening in Orlando, NYCFC needed the early goal to settle any nerves in the stadium and Wallace was there to deliver it on his first appearance on home soil.
As good as Rodney’s finish was, the Costa Rican owed a great debt of gratitude to the work of Jack Harrison in the buildup to it.
The winger’s cut inside and shot merited a goal but credit to Wallace for readjusting and anticipating the rebound to give his team a perfect start.
Man of the Match…
Rodney Wallace
What a way to introduce yourself to your home fans! Wallace opened the scoring and assisted Villa for the second goal to get his NYCFC career off to a winning start.
The winger’s pace and clever movement proved to be a constant thorn in DC full-back Nick DeLeon’s side before Rodney made way for Tommy McNamara with 25 minutes to go.
By that time, he'd already made the difference.
Social Media Post of the Match…
Stats and Milestones…
- NYCFC remain unbeaten in Home Openers, winning two and drawing the other.
- Rodney Wallace scored his first NYCFC goal since joining the club in February.
- Ethan White made his first start of the season.
- League MVP David Villa scored his first goal of the season.
- Villa has now scored in all three NYCFC Home Openers.
- Yangel Herrera made his competitive debut.
- Johnson, Callens, Ring, Moralez and Wallace all made their home debuts.
How They Lined Up…
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Matarrita, Callens, Chanot, White, Pirlo, Ring, Moralez, Wallace, Harrison, Villa (C)
Vieira made one change to his lineup for NYCFC’s Home Opener against DC United.
Ethan White came in for RJ Allen at right-back as the only alteration from the XI which started against Orlando on Week One.
That meant Vieira fielded the same midfield three of Moralez, Andrea Pirlo and Alex Ring with Wallace and Harrison providing the width on either side of Villa.
Sean Johnson retained his place in goal behind a center back partnership of Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens, with Ronald Matarrita at left-back.
What’s Next?
Yankee Stadium will host Saturday’s showdown with Montreal Impact at 2pm ET. Don’t miss it – get your tickets here.
