NYCFC – 2
Columbus Crew – 3
Match recap …
David Villa struck for a brace, but New York City FC suffered its first road loss of the season, falling to the Columbus Crew, 3-2, at Mapfre Stadium Saturday night.
For only the second time this season, NYCFC conceded first when Ethan Finlay scored in the seventh minute. Justin Meram started the sequence by cutting a ball back from the end line that deflected off a sliding Frederic Brillant and back into the box. Finlay ran onto it and blasted in an open shot from 16 yards out.
NYCFC responded eight minutes later on Villa’s third goal of the season. The captain latched onto a quick Andoni Iraola cross toward the back post and bounced his downward header inside the far post from eight yards to level it at one.
Three minutes later the two combined again, but this time Villa put his shot off the outside netting.
Kei Kamara, who had six attempts in the first half, capitalized on a counter four minutes into the second half to score his second goal of the game.
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After Ronald Matarrita made a long run through the midfield before putting a low shot on frame, the Crew FC quickly went the other way and Kamara found himself open on the right side. He took a touch and put a low shot inside the far post from 17 yards to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Mix Diskerud came agonizingly close to equalizing, but his blast from 24 yards was just over the crossbar in the 68th minute.
PHOTOS: New York City FC at Columbus Crew
Meram doubled the hosts advantage in the 80th minute, tapping in a ball cut back from Ethan Finlay, who pulled Josh Saunders out to challenge.
But NYCFC wouldn’t say die and pulled within a goal when Tyson Wahl took down Poku inside the box and Villa converted the penalty for his second goal of the match. Columbus was reduced to 10 men when referee Ted Unkel issued a straight red card to Michael Parkhurst following the penalty call.
Mullins nearly equalized twice late, but Clark parried away and then saved heroically following a Shelton cross.
Quote of the Match
Photo of the Match
How they lined up …
For a second straight game, and second game away from home, Vieira went with a 4-3-3. The only change from the squad that started in a 0-0 draw against the Chicago Fire last Sunday was Tony Taylor replacing Patrick Mullins in the front three, playing on the right with David Villa in the middle and Steven Mendoza on the left.
Vieira made a double substitution in the 58th minute, bringing on Kwadwo Poku for Tommy McNamara and Khiry Shelton for Tony Taylor. Poku struck for a brace last year in a 2-2 draw at Columbus.
Patrick Mullins replaced Steven Mendoza in the 81st minute and went into the middle of NYCFC’s front three with Villa sliding to the left.
Key moment …
Coming on as part of a double substitution, Kwadwo Poku provided late-game drama with a strong run into the box before being taken down by Tyson Wahl, resulting in a penalty kick. Columbus defender Michael Parkhurst was sent off following the challenge.
Tweet of the Match
Man of the Match…
David Villa
Villa scored twice, tying the game in the 15th minute with a downward header from eight yards out following a terrific cross from Andoni Iraola. Villa also scored from the penalty spot three minutes from full time and had a goal called back for offside.
Stats and milestones …
- Jason Hernandez made his 250th career Major League Soccer appearance
- David Villa scored his team leading third and fourth goal of the season (his second career MLS header)
- NYCFC suffered its first road loss of the season
- David Villa registered his sixth career MLS brace.
- This was David Villa's first career goal against Columbus.
- The next team these teams will meet is in August.
What it means …
NYCFC was unable to climb the Eastern Conference table, remaining in sixth place with six points. NYCFC remains on the road to take on the Philadelphia Union on April 23 before returning to Yankee Stadium to face the Montreal Impact on April 27.
