Ignacio Piatti is one of Major League Soccer’s most dangerous attacking players.
But on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, the Montreal midfielder was largely quiet thanks to a solid effort by Ethan White.
White, who arrived in a trade with the Philadelphia Union on Dec. 10, 2015, earned his second consecutive start at right back and limited Piatti to just one scoring opportunity, which he rang off the post late in the first half.
White earned the praise of NYCFC boss Patrick Vieira, who said he is blessed to have a pair of quality right backs in White and R.J. Allen.
In two starts, White has been part of an NYCFC backline that has conceded just one goal in a pair of home games.
In Patrick's Words...
“When you look at the game Ethan played today, I think he was quite really solid,” Vieira said. “Piatti didn’t create much. He had only one chance where we hit the post because we lost the ball in the midfield. I was pleased with the defensive side of Ethan. I’m quite lucky because I have two really good right backs.”
Ethan said…
“I think we did well defensively other than for the [last] play of the half where Piatti hit the post and obviously the goal. I think those were the only chances we gave away.”
“It’s always good to be rewarded for good play, but it’s not over. There’s good competitors in my spot and I’m just going to put in the work and make it hard for the coaches.”
Key Moment...
Ethan was a solid presence in the defense all afternoon but he also managed to get forward on the overlap ahead of Jack Harrison on a few occasions, serving in a dangerous cross after 11 minutes which David Villa would have turned into a goal, if not for a Montreal block.
Stats...
