NYCFC – 1
Toronto FC – 1
Match recap …
Kwadwo Poku scored his first goal of the season in the first half as New York City FC extended its unbeaten streak to a franchise-best five matches with a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC Wednesday night at BMO Field.
With the point on the road, NYCFC moved into sole possession of first place, one point ahead of idle Montreal.
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Poku’s goal put NYCFC in front in the 16th minute. Patrick Mullins got a head on a Steven Mendoza cross from the right and the ball landed at Poku’s feet. He took two touches into the box before curling a shot into the side netting to give NYCFC the lead.
It came just after Josh Saunders robbed Sebastian Giovinco on a breakaway.
TFC leveled three minutes before halftime when Josh Williams latched onto a cross from Mo Babouli, who slid the ball to Will Johnson, who easily tapped in after Saunders challenged the back-post cross.
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Toronto FC threatened in first-half stoppage time, but Saunders dived to his right to get a right hand on a Giovinco free kick.
David Villa nearly pulled off some late magic with a lob from 30 yards that landed on the top netting in second-half stoppage time.
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How they lined up …
With his team playing the second of three games in six days, Patrick Vieria made seven changes to his squad from a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers Sunday.
Vieira still utilized his favored 4-3-3, but started Ethan White and Diego Martinez the nod at outside back after Ronald Matarrita and RJ Allen started there Sunday.
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Back from a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation, Federico Bravo was back at his usual defensive midfield spot, joined by Kwadwo Poku and Mix Diskerud in the midfield.
Up top, Mehdi Ballouchy, Patrick Mullins and Steven Mendoza replaced Tommy McNamara, David Villa and Khiry Shelton.
Allen came in for White in the 57th minute for Vieira’s first change. Nine minutes later, Andoni Iraola replaced Martinez at the other outside back.
Villa entered the match in the 74th minute, replacing Poku, which moved Ballouchy back to midfield and Mullins out to the left.
Key moment …
Poku made the most of his third start of the season, scoring his first goal of his second season with NYCFC in the 16th minute. The midfielder ran onto a cross from Mendoza that deflected off the head of Mullins, took two touches into the box and curled a perfect shot into the side netting to give NYCFC an early 1-0 lead. It was his first goal since a brace against Columbus in a 2-2 draw on August 19, 2015.
Man of the Match …
Josh Saunders
Saunders was superb to keep high-flying TFC to just one goal. He denied Sebastian Giovinco three times, including a breakaway that would have given the hosts an early lead and then got his right hand on a well-taken Giovinco free kick in first-half stoppage time.
Saunders then made a huge double save with a little less than a quarter hour remaining. Giovinco spun to create space and put a low shot on frame that Saunders parried away. He quickly pounced to his feet to kick away a rebound by Jay Chapman.
Stats and milestones …
- NYCFC is now unbeaten in a franchise-best five straight matches.
- Jack Harrison, the first overall selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, was named to the team’s 18-man game day roster for the first time this season after working his way back from a hip injury
- NYCFC improved to 3-2-1 away from home, the second most road points this season just behind TFC, which played its first eight matches away.
- Kwadwo Poku scored first goal since a brace against Columbus in a 2-2 draw on August 19, 2015.
- NYCFC still has not lost to Toronto FC in Franchise history.
- NYCFC has still not lost a match in their secondary kits
What it means …
NYCFC stretched their unbeaten streak to a franchise-best five games and moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of idle Montreal. NYCFC returns home to meet the rival New York Red Bulls Saturday, May 21 at 3 p.m.
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