At training this week, Tony Taylor knew the opportunity was going to be there, an opportunity that has escaped him throughout much of the season.
With David Villa suspended for one game because of yellow card accumulation, it left a void at forward for NYCFC, a void Taylor was committed to fill.
In his first start since April 16, Taylor scored his second career MLS goal to help lift NYCFC to a thrilling 5-1 win over the Colorado Rapids Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
“I’m very pleased,” Taylor said. “I’ve worked very hard to come back from the injury and worked every day making sure I’m giving 110 percent to be ready for when my number is called.”
Villa wasn’t the only regular starter either out to suspension or injury. That gave others a chance to step on the field and prove themselves, including left back Diego Martinez, who earned his second start, and forward Steven Mendoza, who came off the bench to score an important insurance goal in the 75th minute, his first since a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Yankee Stadium April 30.
“I think it shows the depth, it shows unity and more than anything it shows a lot of those individuals who are sometimes not playing, but they’re keeping fit and contributing when they play,” midfielder Frank Lampard said.
Taylor’s first goal since scoring in a 4-3 season-opening win over the Chicago Fire, came in the 42nd minute, five minutes after the Rapids were reduced to 10 men when Michael Azira was sent off for his second bookable offense.
“We did a little combination play and then Tommy [McNamara] got the ball out wide,” Taylor said. “He did well, he found me at the near post. I turned and shot it. The defender blocked it and I got the rebound and I was glad I got to poke it in past [Rapids goalkeeper Tim] Howard.”
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Taylor heard the roar of the crowd after scoring his first ever goal at Yankee Stadium and again when his hard-working shift was over after 67 minutes when he was replaced by Mendoza.
“It felt great. Their support is always appreciated,” Taylor said. “They’ve been with us since day one and we just want to give everything we have for them and make them proud.”
