David Villa scored twice for New York City FC, but 3-3
COLUMBUS, Ohio — David Villa scored twice in a span of nine minutes late to give New York City FC an inspired lead, only to see the three points slip away when Ethan Finlay scored in the 95th minute to give Columbus Crew a 3-3 tie with the Eastern Conference leaders in a game that saw two goals scored in stoppage time.
NYCFC (10-7-8, 43 points) remains atop the Eastern Conference standings by two points over Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls.
Finlay had given the Crew (3-8-11, 20 points) a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute when he converted a penalty kick after Frederic Brillant was called for taking him down in the box.
Villa struck three minutes later when he brilliantly settled a chip over the defense by Andrea Pirlo around the right corner of the penalty box and put it past goalie Steve Clark.
Villa gave to NYCFC (10-7-8, 43 points) a 3-2 lead in the 92nd minute, converting a penalty kick for his 15th goal of the season after Columbus’ Harrison Afful handled the ball in the box.
Columbus answered three minutes later when Finlay sent a loose ball into the net. Columbus (3-8-11) set a MLS record with its sixth straight draw at home. Columbus is winless in 10 straight overall and hasn’t won since May 28.
Frank Lampard opened the scoring for NYCFC in the 41st with his ninth goal in 10 games. Lampard was there to tap in a rebound after Pirlo’s 26-yard free kick was deflected by Crew goalie Steve Clark off the crossbar. Justin Meram tied it in the 49th, heading in Waylon Francis’ cross.
“Coming in here to play against Columbus, they’re a good team, they’re in a spot where they’re at home and needed and wanted to get three points. To play against a good team like that and to be on the road and take a point, come home with a point, it’s going to serve us well at the end of the season. It’s something to kind of hang our hat on a little bit, Tommy MCNamara said to the club press after the game.
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