NYCFC – 0
Chicago Fire – 0
Match recap …
New York City FC dominated in shots and possession, but was unable to get the elusive goal in an entertaining 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire in front of 22,930 at Yankee Stadium Sunday night.
It was the first clean sheet of the season for NYCFC, which is tied with DC United for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
David Villa was dangerous throughout, but couldn’t solve Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson. The captain had the two best scoring chances of the scoreless first half, but was twice denied by Lampson.
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In the 29th minute, Villa latched onto an attempted clearance of a Ronald Matarrita cross, took a touch into the box and fired on frame from 16 yards. But Lampson parried away with a dive to his left.
Nine minute later, Andrea Pirlo played a perfect corner kick to the back post where Lampson somehow saved Villa’s first-time bouncing volley from eight yards. Tommy McNamara put a bicycle kick rebound attempt over the crossbar.
In the 52nd minute, Patrick Mullins created space for himself by evading a pair of Fire defenders, turned and fired a low shot from 20 yards that was just wide of the far post.
It appeared the visitors broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Jonathan Campbell headed in from the edge of the six, but assistant referee Corey Parker raised his flag and ruled the play offside.
PHOTOS: New York City FC vs Chicago Fire
A minute later Tommy McNamara made a rampaging run and slid a pass to Mix Diskerud, who took two touches into the box before Lampson saved his low shot from 17 yards.
Villa had two more golden chances a minute apart late in the second half, but his free kick from outside the left edge of the 18-yard box was pushed away by Lampson. The ‘keeper than came well off his line to push aside a second Villa shot after the Captain was played behind the Fire defense by Steven Mendoza.
How they lined up …
As was the case in the opener at Toyota Park on March 5, Vieira went with a 4-3-3 formation with Ronald Matarrita (left back) and Mix Diskerud (center midfield) returning to the lineup after missing the 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution on March 26 on international duty.
Patrick Mullins made his first start of the season, serving as a center forward with David Villa on the left and Steven Mendoza on the right. Ethan White was expected to start at right back, but suffered an injury and was ruled out. Andoni Iraola moved from center back to the right side and Frederic Brillant started at center back alongside Jason Hernandez.
Tony Taylor was Vieira’s first change in the 66th minute, replacing Mullins. Villa moved to Mullin’s spot, while Taylor slotted out left.
Six minutes later, Federico Bravo came on to replace Andrea Pirlo, while Kwadwo Poku entered the fray in the second minute of second-half stoppage time for Mix Diskerud.
Photo of the Match...
Key moment …
With the Chicago Fire stretched, Steven Mendoza lofted a ball over the top to an unmarked David Villa, who raced toward the goal six minutes from full time. But the Captain was denied when Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson came well off his line to thwart the scoring chance.
Man of the Match …
David Villa
From the start of the match until its dying moments, Villa was a constant threat and would have found the back of the net if not for the heroics of Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson.
Stats and milestones …
- Patrick Mullins made his first NYCFC start for the 2016 MLS season
- Josh Saunders recorded his first clean sheet of the year
- NYCFC held Chicago to zero shots on target
- It was the first scoreless draw for NYCFC this season
- In their four matches against each other, both clubs are 1-1-2
Quote of the Match....
Tweet of the Match
What it means …
NYCFC was unlucky not to secure maximum points, but did get its first clean sheet of the season, moving into a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with DC United.
NYCFC hits the road for back-to-back games, playing at Columbus (April 15) and Philadelphia (April 23) before returning to Yankee Stadium to meet the Montreal Impact April 27.
Get tickets to the April 27 Match against Montreal
