NYCFC defeat Columbus Crew SC
The start of the game, where Columbus Crew SC were unbeaten at Mapfre Stadium and had never lost to NYCFC on home soil going into this Saturday night showdown.
With an average of 4.6 goals being scored per game in the history of this rivalry, it was never going to be a goalless bore draw and Harrison certainly made sure of that just seven minutes in.
The ball inside the Crew full-back from Maxi Moralez was gorgeous and the finish from Jack was even better as the Englishman chipped sublimely over the onrushing Zack Steffen.
Head Coach Patrick Vieira had spoken of the importance of giving fans a reaction to the disappointing defeat to Orlando City last time out and, on the early evidence, that message had clearly gotten through to the boys in blue.
However, despite the early notch, NYCFC were soaking up more opposition possession than they’ve been used to in recent weeks and they were indebted to goalkeeper Sean Johnson for keeping their noses in front on 23’ when he made a fine double save.
Ethan White was next to come to his side’s rescue a couple of minutes later when he recovered to produce an outstanding last ditch tackle when the dangerous Justin Meram was baring down on goal and ready to pull the trigger.
Eventually, the Columbus pressure did tell, and home side levelled through Federico Higuain’s stunning volley which left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Chances for Vieira’s men to double their tally were few and far between in the remaining minutes of the half but Sean Okoli did advertise his threat with a towering header from a Harrison cross which flew inches past the post.
Following a strong end to the first half, NYCFC found themselves behind for the first time five minutes into the second period as Kamara pounced upon a trip from Alexander Callens and swept past Johnson.
Chasing the game, the boys in blue put up another strong response to a concession and began asserting sustained pressure on the Columbus goal which eventually garnered the game-tieing goal from Herrera.
Head Coach Patrick Vieira
On winning tonight
It was a big result for us. I think we had a really good game plan, and coming in here against a really good side and managing to go back to New York with three points is really big for us.
On Jack Harrison’s performance
I think Jack [Harrison] had a fantastic game. I think when you come to a place like that, and play the way that we played you need players to be at their best. When you look at Jack, he was fantastic not just because of the goals he scored, but the way he worked for the team.
On asking more of Jack Harrison
I think Jack [Harrison] grew up as a player. He’s getting better every day, every week because of the way he is training. He’s working hard with [David] Villa every day. Of course that’s a great result, he wants to play every week and he’s working really hard in training. When he has the opportunity, he shows me how good he is.
Defender Ben Sweat
On coming back to Columbus
It was pretty awesome. I still know a lot of the guys on the team, a lot of the staff, the grounds crew, it was a decent welcome back. It was good to catch up with some of the guys.
On his assist
It was a back and forth game. They were keeping the ball, we were keeping the ball, we had good chances up the field. I had a chance to serve, we had a few guys on the blocks, and I cut it back with my weak foot, which I don’t do too often, and Yangel [Herrera] was there and had a great finish.
On moving forward
I think we need to keep this same intensity. Whether it’s away or at home, if we bring the same intensity and the same level of play from back to front, I think it’s going to be a fantastic year.
Forward Jack Harrison
On his team’s victory
I thought it was a good team performance; we played very well to get the goals. We did very well to come back from losing and it think it was just a well-done team performance. On his brace…
The first goal, we were on the counter-attack, [Maximiliano Moralez] had come over to the right-hand side and made a run in behind and played a perfect ball, and I just managed to chip it over the keeper. The second one was great team pressure. We pressed very well, [Yangel Herrera] was able to touch the ball away from the defender and I just managed to get there before someone else was behind me and just slide it in the back of the net.
On how to sustain success… I think we played very well collectively as a team today. We were very good pressing from up front. We just need to continue that going forward and hopefully, we will get more wins.
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