Fresh off the first home win of the 2016 season, New York City FC is hoping to make it two in a row when they take on D.C. United Sunday at 7:30 pm. from RFK Stadium. (FS1 | WQBU | International)
Photos: Training on May 4
“Winning at home gives us a really massive boost because we were getting anxious,” NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said. “This week was a hard week where we work well, like other weeks, but the camp was more a happy camp because that’s what the win does for the team and the group. … It was a happy week.”
By rallying to defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps, 3-2, NYCFC snapped a seven-match winless streak and is level on points with Orlando City SC and D.C. United, four behind Eastern Conference-leading Montreal.
“We suffered. It was hard. But after conceding the early goal, we kept our composure, kept the way we wanted to play, kept our togetherness,” Vieira said. “Coming out after a game like that makes us even bigger.”
D.C. United has an identical 2-3-4 record after nine matches, but both of its wins have come at RFK Stadium and both have been comprehensive victories – 4-0 over Vancouver and 3-0 over New England.
D.C. United is coming off a third consecutive draw away from home, a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire Saturday afternoon.
“The win brings a good feeling to the club and the team, but already as you can see that’s in the past and we’re looking to continue to build on that,” Jason Hernandez said.
A year ago, NYCFC split a pair of results with D.C. United, winning 3-1 at Yankee Stadium on August 13 with Tommy McNamara, David Villa and Kwadwo Poku scoring one goal apiece.
All Goals Scored: D.C. United
Broadcast: FS1 | WQBU | International
