New York City FC were unable to gain revenge for their maiden derby defeat to the New York Red Bulls after falling 3-1 to their city rivals in Major League Soccer action.
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Ahead of the match, the home fans received a massive boost when Italy legend Andrea Pirlo was paraded before them—the former Juventus man is understood to be on the verge of signing a contract with NYCFC, with a deal expected to be completed this week.
Clearly keen to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of the Red Bulls in May, New York City tore out of the blocks in the first-ever Hudson River derby at the Yankee Stadium.
They were rewarded on six minutes when Thomas McNamara, demonstrating excellent balance and goal-sense, fired past Luis Robles from ten yards out.
NYCFC had chances to extend the lead as the half wore on, but were unable to double their advantage, with the primary subsequent incident of the first 45 being an injury to Chris Wingert following a collision with Abang.
Had the home side remained tight after the break, they may have been able to hold on for a famous victory.
Unfortunately, they were on the back foot immediately after the resumption of play.
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored only two minutes after the pause, finally finishing off another period of extended pressure to beat Josh Saunders.
Five minutes later, it was 2-1, as Chris Duvall finished from close range, profiting from a well-directed header to his feet from teammate Anatole Abang.
Wright-Phillips—one of MLS’s outstanding strikers—had chances to kill off the game, but a few poor finishes at least allowed NYCFC hope that they could secure a point that began to appear increasingly unlikely as the game wore on.
For the home side, former Barcelona man David Villa also had his chances, but was unable to find the target—wastefulness that both of his future teammates, Pirlo and Frank Lampard—sat together in the stands—may have found concerning.
Ultimately, a draw wasn’t to be, and the giant Matt Miazga secured the three points for NYRB on 74 minutes with another well-placed header past Saunders.