Brian Lewis of the New York Post referred to it as New York City FC's "gutsiest performance yet."
Despite trailing by two goals and playing down a man, the Club rallied for a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire on Friday to earn a valuable point.
Captain David Villa, who was instrumental in both goals, earned praise from Lewis. He wrote:
"Villa, a World Cup and Champions League winner making $6 million, hustled like an undrafted rookie trying to make the cut. He tracked back to break up a free kick, threw his 5-foot-9, 150-pound frame against larger centerbacks Jeff Larentowicz and Adailton and tested keeper Sean Johnson all night."
While head coach Jason Kreis has emphasized three points at home, writes The Record's Andy Vasquez, "Friday night brought proof that there are exceptions to every rule."
"It was not a win, but for NYC FC it sure felt like one. NYC had lost five consecutive matches, and hadn’t earned a point since a draw with Philadelphia a month ago today.
But on this night, the players walked off the field to chants of 'NYC!'
'This can be a positive turning point for us,' said Villa, who won the 2010 World Cup with Spain. 'I don’t remember in my entire career to be down in a similar situation to be down to 10 men for about 70 minutes and then show this attitude and how we dominated the game after that. It thought it was fantastic.'"
Dylan Butler of MLSSoccer.com opened his story by saying while the draw may appear as just a mere point in the standings, it may mean so much more for New York City FC.
He wrote: "In the standings, it is just one point.
But for New York City FC, rallying from two goals down with a man down to earn a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire Friday night at Yankee Stadium could mean so much more.
'I’m very hopeful that this is set as sort of a landmark for our group, so they understand they can get results if they’re willing to do whatever it takes,' NYCFC coach Jason Kreis said. “If they’re willing to put in that type of effort, I believe that we will get results.'
While the losing streak ends at four games, the winless streak extends to nine. But considering the dire straits NYCFC were in before the match was 30 minutes old, this draw certainly felt like a win in the locker room."
Stefan Bondy of the Daily News highlighted Mehdi Ballouchy's first-half goal in stoppage time as a game changer for New York City FC.
He wrote: "The home team managed a goal from Mehdi Ballouchy just before the break — on a rebound created from Villa’s shot — that changed the complexion of the match. Suddenly, NYCFC had confidence."
