One of the most entertaining games in New York City FC’s short history dominated the MLS headlines last weekend.
City’s 2-2 draw at Atlanta more than lived up to its lofty billing as the teams served up an instant classic on Sunday night.
We kick off our media roundup with Alex Ring lighting up ESPN SportsCenter’s Top Ten with his first goal for the club.
Not a bad first notch…
Elsewhere, FourFourTwo described the game as a “thriller” in their write-up, as the Boys in Blue twice fought back from a goal down.
“City ensured they remained unbeaten with a spectacular equalizer with 17 minutes remaining,” the story reads.
“Alex Ring received a pass from Villa before unleashing a stunning 30-yard strike via the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-2.
“New York City have won five of their opening seven games and sit four points clear of Atlanta atop the Eastern Conference.”
Earlier in the same game, David Villa netted City’s first equalizer from the spot after Jo Inge Berget was felled.
That made it 399 goals for club and country for one of the most lethal marksmen of his generation, as reported in leading Spanish sports publication, AS.
“Villa missed games against Orlando, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes before making a brief substitute appearance against Real Salt Lake,” Juan Carlos Rios reports.
“But it was against Atlanta United that Villa displayed his value to his side, coming on for 55 minutes, scoring from the spot three minutes later and assisting Alexander Ring’s 73rd-minute strike as New York City came from 2-0 down to secure a point.
“Villa’s goal also took him to 399 professional club strikes during his career.”
Will he net goal no.400 next time out in Portland? You certainly wouldn’t bet against it!
Finally, SoccerAmerica.com reports on a new batch of call-ups for NYCFC Academy.
The U.S U-17 roster for the Sportchain Cup in Benicassim, Spain was announced and there are four NYCFC players who’ve earned international call-ups – the most of any MLS team academy.
Tayvon Gray, Andres Jasson, Gio Reyna and Joe Scally are the quartet who will be in contention to face India and Norway at the tournament which kicks off this week.
Congratulations to all four from everyone at NYCFC!
U.S. U-17 boys national team:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Aaron Cervantes (Orange County SC; Chino Hills, Calif.), Damian Las (Chicago Fire Academy; Chicago, Ill.).
DEFENDERS (8): Axel Alejandre (FC United; Chicago, Ill.), Michael Barragan (Atlas/MEX; Guadalajara, Mexico), George Bello (Atlanta United; Douglasville, Ga.), Tayvon Gray (New York City FC Academy; Bronx, N.Y.), Kobe Hernandez (LA Galaxy Academy; Los Angeles, Calif.), Mason Judge (Chargers SC; Tampa, Fla.), Joseph Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; Chatham, N.J.).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Luis Flores (Shattuck-Saint Mary's; Half Moon Bay, Calif.), Gilbert Fuentes (San Jose Earthquakes; Tracy, Calif.), Cesar Garcia (FC Dallas Academy; Carrollton, Texas), Jack Imperato (De Anza Force; San Jose, Calif.), Andres Jasson (New York City FC Academy; Greenwich, Conn.), Adam Saldana (Real So Cal; Panorama City, Calif.), Peter Stroud (New York Red Bulls Academy; Chester, N.J.).
FORWARDS (7): Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.), Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City; Greensboro, N.C.), Diego Lopez (Atlanta United FC 2; Chino, Calif.), Joshua Pynadath (Ajax/NED; Amsterdam, Netherlands), Benjamin Redzic (FC Dallas Academy; Carrollton, Texas), Giovanni Reyna (New York City FC Academy; Bedford Corners, N.Y.), Ray Serrano (Sounders FC 2; Graham, Wash.).
