NYCFC – 3
D.C. United – 2
Match Recap …
On the night Frank Lampard was honored for 300 goals for club and country, the veteran midfielder struck for a brace, including the winner deep into second-half stoppage time to lift New York City to a 3-2 win over D.C. United Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.
NYCFC (12-8-8) moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with 44 points, one in front of idle Toronto FC. D.C. United (7-9-11) saw its six-match unbeaten streak snapped.
Lampard took a feed from Khiry Shelton and took a touch around a sliding Jalen Robinson before finishing with his left for his sixth goal in the last six games.
Lloyd Sam put the visitors in front with his first goal in a D.C. United uniform in the 33rd minute, taking a pass from Patrick Nyarko and putting the ball inside the far post from 16 yards out on his second touch.
David Villa capitalized on a defensive miscue to score the 79th minute equalizer. The NYCFC captain intercepted a back pass from Luke Mishu, ran in alone and slotted clinically past D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid for his league-leading 17th goal of the season.
Lampard then put NYCFC in front, 2-1, five minutes from full time, pouncing on a ball tackled off Villa’s foot and scoring from 10 yards out.
However, Lamar Neagle leveled for the visitors in the first minute of stoppage time, latching onto a Julian Buescher corner and heading in from just outside the six-yard box.
NYCFC would not be denied, though, and Lampard came through with the late heroics for a dramatic victory.
PHOTOS: NYCFC Win Over DC United
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How They Lined Up …
Patrick Vieira made three changes to the side that lost at Orlando 2-1 on Sunday. With Ronald Matarrita with the Costa Rican National Team, RJ Allen started on the left side of the four-man backline, Jefferson Mena moved from center back to the right side and Frederic Brillant returned to center back to partner with Maxime Chanot.
The midfield was unchanged, while Jack Harrison returned to the starting lineup on the right side of a three-man front line.
Vieira made two changes at halftime, bringing on Steven Mendoza to replace Tommy McNamara and Federico Bravo for Andoni Iraola as NYCFC switched to a three-man backline with Allen pushing forward in a five-man midfield.
Khiry Shelton came on for Allen as Vieira’s last substitution in the 79th minute.
Man of the Match …
Frank Lampard
The veteran midfielder got on the microphone before the game and told the crowd the team would work to get a victory for the fans and Lampard delivered on that promise, scoring twice in the final minutes of the game to deliver a massive three points.
He scored his first goal in the 85th minute and added the second in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to secure NYCFC’s spot back atop the Eastern Conference.
Photo of the Match …
Key moment …
Frank Lampard showed that he’s a savvy veteran with the game-winning goal three minutes into second-half stoppage time. He took a feed from Khiry Shelton and took a quick touch from his right foot to his left to avoid a sliding Jalen Robinson, before pushing the ball past D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
Quote of the Match …
Stats and Milestones …
Frank Lampard was honored by the Club before the match for scoring his 300th career goal – for club and country. The goal came against Columbus on August 13. He was presented with a proclamation from the New York City Mayor’s Office, an NYCFC jersey with the No. 300 on the back and a ring with ‘300’ on it that listed all the goals at the various stops of his career.
- David Villa scored his league-leading 17th goal of the season.
- Khiry Shelton came off the bench to register two assists.
- Frank Lampard struck twice, giving him six goals in his last six matches.
- NYCFC has now won five straight matches at Yankee Stadium.
- NYCFC moves back atop the Eastern Conference.
What it Means …
With their fifth straight win at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC moves back atop the Eastern Conference.
New York City FC is back on the road to take on the New England Revolution on Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. before returning to Yankee Stadium to face FC Dallas September 17 at 7 p.m.
Tweet of the Match …
