NYCFC 2-1 win over the S.J. Earthquakes
Saturday afternoon Yankee Stadium, with 20,666 fans supported the blue team, while San Jose had not beaten their hosts in two attempts but they had an excellent opportunity to strike an early blow in this third meeting when Chris Wondolowski raced onto a pass from Darwin Ceren into a one-on-one situation but Sean Johnson came up big with the block.
That proved to be just a warning shot for the Earthquakes as they took the lead a few minutes later through Marcos Urena who slotted calmly past Johnson at the near post following a fortuitous bounce off the knee of Alexander Callens.
However, the away side’s lead would last just four minutes as NYCFC equalized with a goal of the highest quality.
Ronald Matarrita’s cross to the top of the box was flicked sublimely into the path of Harrison by Villa and the Englishman’s shot on the turn was too hot for David Bingham to handle.
It was the perfect reaction from Patrick Vieira’s side and, following this tempestuous opening, things settled down a little, allowing the boys in blue began to dictate therhythm of the game, moving through the gears, piling on the pressure as the first half minutes ticked by.
This increased pressure almost earned its reward on 40’ but a brave piece of last-ditch defending by Victor Bernandez denied Rodney Wallace his third goal in as many starts on the Etihad Pitch.
It was a familiar Bronx tale for NYCFC at the halftime break as they boasted more than 70% of the possession and more than double the number of passes to San Jose but would they get the three points they deserved in the second period?
Hearts were in mouths ten minutes after the restart when Urena went down in the box under a challenge from Andrea Pirlo but referee Jorge Gonzalez felt the Costa Rican went down cheaply and waved play on.
That controversial moment aside, the pattern of the game had continued with Vieira’s men bossing the game but unable to find a way through the Earthquakes defensive traffic.
Tommy McNamara was introduced on 62′ and he only took four minutes to make his presence felt, finishing off a stunning team move to make it 2-1.
Another Villa backheel was involved in the silky smooth build-up play but it was Matarrita who produced the key pass, pulling it back for Tommy unselfishly when he might have gone for goal himself, laying it on a silver platter for his teammate.
San Jose’s hopes of getting back into the game were dealt a huge blow when Bernandez was shown a straight red card for a nasty rake down McNamara’s leg with his studs on 79′.
That man advantage certainly eased the nerves for NYCFC as they held on relatively comfortably for their second win of the season.
NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira, On why he took out Andrea Pirlo, and also what he thought of Tommy McNamara’s impact…
“You guys are just seeing when he put the ball in the back of the net. On my side, I see the buildup of that. I saw the touch of David (Villa). I see Tommy in the right place at the right time, and with his strength, he put it in the back of the net, but sometimes you have a plan and games go in a different way and you have to change your plan. I made a decision to take off Andrea, not because he was having a bad game. I thought he was playing quite well. The way we were playing in the first half, we were managing to get on the board and dictate the game, it’s just I wanted something a little bit different and that’s why I changed Andrea. And Tommy, it went in the right way, but that’s just a coach making a decision, but it’s was a tough one to make because Andrea was having a good game.”
On how he would assess his defense and goal tending…“We have played four games so far and we’ve scored goals and created opportunities, so I’m happy with the way we’ve been playing. And defensively as well, we’ve conceded less this year, but there’s still parts of the game that we need to improve, but overall, I’m really pleased with our attitude when we’re on the field.”
On what he’s seen from Alexander Callens so far…“I think he’s a really strong center back, compared to last year, it was really important for us to get a left footed player. I think he’s made our game more balanced, and he’s really confident on the ball. When he steps in, he’s making the right decision, and technically he’s good so of course we’ve been stronger defensively and he’s played a major part in that. With Maxi (Morales) on the right hand side and Sean (Johnson) as a goalkeeper, I think we look really solid.”
NYCFC midfielder Maxi Moralez
On his performance…“I thought it was a hard fought game. I thought we played well as a team. It was a good win at the right time for the team. The goal we allowed was an early mistake but we were able to play well the rest of the way. This was a tough team to play but we were able to come away with the win.”
On coming to New York…“It has been really positive so far. I think we have been adjusting to the change well. The team has been great and I am very happy to be here. The language has been the biggest challenge but football is football and it is still eleven on eleven.”
On the win… “I thought it was a hard fought win. I am happy we were able to convert more opportunities than the other team and come away with a great win at home. Of course the other team’s goal was an early mistake, but I am very happy that we were able to do what we needed to come away with the win.”
NYCFC midfielder TOMMY MCNAMARA, On his leadership role this season…”Yeah that was the discussion last season moving into this year. We brought in a lot of new guys, some experienced some younger guys, you know this is my third year with the club, I’ve been in the league for a few years, and I’m a little bit older so it’s just a natural progression of myself as a person and a natural progression within this club.”
On Patrick Vieira’s instructions coming off the bench… “It was to be slightly more offensive and to push and get a goal. You know we want to get three points at home, that is what we need to do every game when we’re playing at home and so that is what I was looking to do, to be solid with the ball, to get myself forward trying to create things, and try to get myself into place where others are creating for me.”
On the game winning goal… “It was a great build up down the left side, and I just remember thinking to myself just get into the box, get myself free and into a good area. When the ball broke through with Mattarita and he got in behind I was just hoping he would cut it back to me and he did and played a perfect ball to me and I just made sure to keep it on frame because the goalie was a little bit out of the equation at that point.”
NYCFC midfielder Alex Ring..
On today’s game and the referees’ performance…”It’s not easy for the referee, there was a lot of 50/50 balls and sometimes it went our way sometimes the other way.”
On their preparedness for San Jose’s attack…”I think so, we played well as a team. We anticipated the way they played, with long balls so it’s a lot of 50/50 situations and second balls and anything can happen so we have to be happy for the three points. It was not our best game, but the most important thing is the result.”
On the early turnover that led to San Jose’s goal…
“I actually don’t remember the first goal that well, you said it was a turnover but I have to see it again. I think we came back well though we drew pretty fast after that and had a couple chances but maybe we were a bit too impatient today in the last third, but like I said we won, last week we played really well and only had one point so I’ll take it today.”
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