New York City FC – 1
Sporting Kansas City – 3
Match recap …
Frank Lampard scored his fourth goal in five games, but New York City FC had its four-match winning streak snapped in a 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park Sunday night.
NYCFC (8-6-6), which entered the match following three straight clean sheets, had a shutout streak of 279 minutes snapped when Benny Feilhaber put the hosts in front on eight minutes. However, Frank Lampard scored his fourth goal of the season and second this week to level for NYCFC in the 14th minute.
Andrea Pirlo intercepted an Ike Opara pass and slipped to David Villa on his right. Villa returned the ball to Pirlo, who sent a quick pass to Ronald Matarrita. Lampard latched onto the Costa Rican international’s cross and put in a first-time shot from 10 yards.
Sporting Kansas City (8-8-4) regained its lead two minutes later when Jimmy Medranda put his low shot from distance in off NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders. Ike Opara doubled SKC’s lead in the 51st minute.
PHOTOS: New York City FC at Sporting KC
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How they lined up …
Patrick Vieira made a few slight adjustments from the squad that won 1-0 at New England on the midweek. Most notably, Ronald Matarrita was pushed up the field and started as a winger on the left. RJ Allen started at left back with Jason Hernandez on the right.
Vieira brought on Tommy McNamara for Matarrita at the start of the second half for his first substitution.
In the 63rd minute, Patrick Mullins came off the bench to replace Lampard as Vieira switched to a 4-4-1-1 formation. Mikey Lopez came on for Hernandez for Vieira’s final change in the 80th minute as NYCFC switched to three in the back for the final 10 minutes.
Man of the Match …
Frank Lampard
Lampard stayed hot on a steamy night in Kansas City with his fourth goal in the last five games and second of the week. The veteran midfielder has had a poacher’s touch in the box with all four of his goals this season from inside 12 yards.
Photo of the Match ...
Stats and milestones …
- Frank Lampard scored his fourth goal of the season
- Andrea Pirlo registered his team-leading seventh assist
- David Villa played in his 50th MLS match
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What it means …
Despite the loss, NYCFC remains atop the Eastern Conference with 30 points, one in front of the Philadelphia Union. NYCFC remains on the road to take on the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo next Sunday at 5 p.m.
Tweet of the Match ...
