NYCFC – 1
New York Red Bulls – 4
Match recap …
Tommy McNamara scored a wonder goal, but New York City FC fell to the Red Bulls, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at sweltering Red Bull Arena.
It is only the second loss for the Eastern Conference leaders in the last seven games and only the team’s fourth in 11 games away from home.
Bradley Wright-Phillips put the hosts in front, 1-0, in the 20th minute on his 10th goal of the season. Wright-Phillips, who was played in behind by Sacha Kljestan, took a touch before slotting low inside the far post.
Three minutes later, the Red Bulls doubled their lead when Ronald Zubar latched onto a Kljestan corner kick and headed in from eight yards out.
Kljestan scored from the penalty spot in the 41st minute to give the Red Bulls a 3-0 lead.
Two minutes later, McNamara pulled NYCFC back a goal with a golazo from 30 yards out into the upper right corner. He nearly added a second goal in the 59th minute, but his dipping shot from distance caromed off the crossbar.
Wright-Phillips scored his second goal of the game in the 70th minute to increase the Red Bulls lead to 4-1.
David Villa had NYCFC’s first quality chance in the 15th minute when he was played in behind by RJ Allen, but his low shot from 15 yards out was just wide of the far post.
Jefferson Mena made a spectacular goal line clearance in the 78th minute, denying the Red Bulls another goal.
PHOTOS: New York City FC at Red Bulls
How they lined up …
Patrick Vieira unveiled an unchanged starting XI from the side that defeated the Montreal Impact, 3-1, last Sunday at Stade Saputo.
Tony Taylor came on for Andoni Iraola for the first substitution in the 69th minute and Jason Hernandez replaced RJ Allen in the 80th minute, switching Ethan White to the left.
Federico Bravo came on for Andrea Pirlo for NYCFC’s final sub three minutes from full time.
Man of the Match …
Tommy McNamara
Tommy McNamara scored one of his patented brilliant goals late in the first half, a screamer from 30 yards just before halftime. He was NYCFC’s most dangerous attacking player and nearly had a second goal, but his dipping shot from distance caromed off the crossbar.
Key moment …
A week after Jack Harrison picked up the MLS Goal of the Week, McNamara made a bid for an NYCFC player to win it in back to back weeks. McNamara received a pass from RJ Allen and attacked the space, taking two touches before unleashing a rocket from 30 yards into the upper right corner of the net for his fourth goal of the year.
Stats and milestones …
Tommy McNamara scored his fourth goal of the season.
What it means …
NYCFC remains atop the Eastern Conference with 33 points, two points ahead of the Red Bulls, who moved ahead of the Philadelphia Union and the Montreal Impact with the win.
Tweet of the Match …
NYCFC returns to Yankee Stadium after the All-Star Break to take on Tim Howard and the Colorado Rapids July 30 at 3 p.m.
