NYCFC clinched second place in the Eastern Conference
New York City FC on Decision Day from the regular season faced Columbus Crew SC at Yankee Stadium, win the 4 goals by Mendoza 45, Harrison 75, Shelton 77, Villa 90).
Jack Harrison and Khiry Shelton scored two minutes apart late in the second half to lift New York City FC to a 4-1 win over Columbus Crew SC in front of 30,374 at Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The win in the regular season finale clinched second place in the Eastern Conference for NYCFC, which has a bye into the two-legged Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Harrison broke the one-all tie in the 75 minute when he took a short pass from Frank Lampard and blasted a left-footed shot into the net for his fourth goal of the season.
As the second half Sunday was winding down with NYCFC tied 1-1 with Columbus and Toronto FC, which trailed NYCFC by one point entering the day, leading Chicago 3-1, it looked like NYCFC might lose second place and be doomed to the dreaded knockout round.
But a three-goal explosion in the final 15 minutes with goals by Jack Harrison, Khiry Shelton and Villa secured second place and completed NYCFC’s remarkable turnaround in the span of a mere year.
Villa, who entered the day one goal behind Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips in the Golden Boot race for most goals in the league, was his usual brilliant self Sunday, assisting on NYCFC’s first goal, a tasty left-footed cross that was one-timed into the back of the net by Steven Mendoza in the 45th minute right before the half.
David is an incredible asset the way he works,’’ Harrison said. “You see passion in everything that he does. Before I came here he was a legend in my eyes. I used to play him in FIFA on the Xbox when I was a kid. And now, to be able to play beside him is just a dream opportunity I’m so thankful for.
The Red Bulls finished first plays and second respectively whent as of one and galf year old club to NYCFC, in the Eastern Conference as they concluded the regular season Sunday.
Congratulations #NYCFC great match.
