NYCFC 2
Villa 24mins (PK), Villa 28mins
Toronto FC 2
Perquis 45+2mins, Giovinco 76mins
Match Recap
In a Home Opener that saw 30,315 fans come out to support New York City FC, the Club played Toronto FC to a 2-2 draw on Sunday night.
Toronto had the first real chance in the 21st minute as reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco lined up to take a free kick, but Saunders easily sought it out to keep the match even.
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In the 23rd minute Marky Delgado fouled Tommy McNamara in the box and was called for a penalty. David Villa stepped up and sent the crowd into a roar, scoring his first goal of the season.
Villa found the net again in the 28th minute after a free kick that Andrea Pirlo sent into the box bounced around and finally found Villa who put it in the back of the net.
Toronto FC would get on the board at the end of the half after Giovinco sent a free kick towards the net and found the foot of Damien Perquis who knocked it into the net to make the score 2-1 at the end of the half.
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Toronto started the second half more aggressively which resulted in Federico Bravo picking up a yellow card in the 52nd minute.
NYCFC had several chances as well, including a Frederic Brillant header that was denied on the doorstop and a Villa shot which was thwarted.
Steven Mendoza made his NYCFC debut coming on for Tony Taylor in the 67th minute.
Giovinco broke free in the 76th minute and found the back of the net, tieing the match at 2 in the 77th minute.
Villa sent a cross in the 84th minute that just missed Mikey Lopez, which would have given NYCFC the lead, but instead the final whistle blew and the match ended in a draw.
How they lined up
Vieira used a new 3-2-2-3 system, with Tony Taylor and Khiry Shelton up front on either side of David Villa in the offensive third just like the match against Chicago.
Tommy McNamara and Mix Diskerud played up front while Andrea Pirlo and Federico Bravo played behind in the midfield.
Photos: New York City FC vs. Toronto FC
The back line was made up of Ronald Matarrita, Jason Hernandez and Frederic Brillant.
With NYCFC tied at 2-2 with 10 minutes remaining, Vieira brought Ethan White on for Khiry Sehlton to try and prevent Toronto from taking the lead.
Photo of the Match
Key moment
In the final moments of the match, Giovinco fired a shot at net, but Saunders was able to wrangle it and fell on top of the ball and the crowd let out a deep exhale as NYCFC would collect its point from the draw.
Man of the Match
David Villa
Villa scored both goals for NYCFC and his first two goals of the season. Villa was a catalyst to the offense and kept looking for his third, but unfortunately never did.
Stats and milestones
- This is the third time Villa has played against Toronto FC, he has had multi-goal matches in each of his meetings
- Villa scored the first home goal of the season last year
- Villa ended 2015 with a penalty goal and started 2016 with a penalty goal
- NYCFC has still not been defeated by Toronto FC, in their four matches NYCFC is 2-0-2
- Villa is one of two players since 2015 with 3PK goals vs. one opponent (via OptaJack)
Quote of the Match
Tweet of the Match
What this means
NYCFC stays unbeaten in it first two matches and currently sits third in the Eastern Conference table. Villa picked up his first two goals of the season and looks to be an instant contender for the golden boot this season. On Friday March 18, NYCFC will host rival Orlando City SC as they look to continue their unbeaten streak.
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