Photo Brad Penner/USA Today Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
NEW YORK — Without David Villa in the lineup, it was up to New York City FC’s other premier signings to make the difference against Toronto FC on Wednesday night.
In his fourth MLS start, Frank Lampard netted his first MLS goal while Andrea Pirlo provided a pair of assists, leading the way as NYCFC kept their slim playoff hopes alive by topping TFC, 2-0, at Yankee Stadium.
Lampard’s finish came in the 20th minute, but the play was kickstarted by a ball from NYCFC’s other active DP.
Receiving the ball well outside the box, Pirlo chipped a pass up and over the TFC defense, finding a streaking RJ Allen. The fullback tapped the ball back to an awaiting Lampard with his first tough, allowing the Englishman to bring the ball down before firing a shot to the lower left-hand corner to give NYCFC the 1-0 lead.
Hanging on to that lead for a majority of the game, NYCFC finally secured the insurance goal in the 77th minute on a Patrick Mullins header.
Utlilizing a string of successive corners, Pirlo curled in a ball and found Mullins inside the six yard box. Flicking a header, Mullins hit a shot that cruised right past Chris Konopka, earning NYCFC the win and a valuable three points.
With the victory, NYCFC collects the club’s 31st point of the season through 29 games, good for eighth in the Eastern Conference. As things stand, the expansion club sits one point behind the sixth-place Montreal Impact, despite having played four extra games.
Despite conceding early, Toronto FC was on the front foot for the majority of the opening half, getting multiple look at Josh Saunders in the NYCFC goal.
Michael Bradley, in particular, proved dangerous, nearly scoring in the 25th minute before forcing a Saunders save with a long-range blast just six minutes later. Sandwiched in between was a Jozy Altidore shot in the 27th minute, with Saunders diving to save following an Altidore turn and fire.
As the second half wore on, things proved to be more of the same, as TFC looked for shots while NYCFC poked and prodded.
Sebastian Giovinco provided a good look for the visitors on a placed free kick in the 60th minute, only to see Saunders parry away the long-range effort. Just 10 minutes later, Bradley started firing again, ripping a pair of shots from distance only to see Saunders stand tall on both yet again.
This is the first time NYCFC has recorded a shutout since June 20 when it defeated, coincidentally, Toronto, by the same score at BMO Field.
Following the victory, NYCFC returns to action Saturday at Yankee Stadium to host the San Jose Earthquakes. Meanwhile, TFC takes the field that same day to host the Colorado Rapids.
“Mullins header was phenominal. One that neither Lampard or Pirlo could even come close to making”
Pirlo is the guy who puts the ball on Mullins’ head so he can make that phenomenal header. And Lampard is the guy that defenders worry about so much that Mullins is a little more free to make his phenomenal header.
The non stop Bigname hero worship is bizzarre. NY fans cheered when Lampard was taken off, because they would rather see Poku play.
Mullins header was phenominal. One that neither Lampard or Pirlo could even come close to making
Ryan do you know what an assist is?
Jozy played on the wing….making him more useless than usual.
TFC might yet find a way to choke away a playoff spot
with Michael Bradley in the midfield and Altidore up top Toronto are scoreless….wow
Mix invisible for the most part once again
…….Then you didn’t watch the game
He made some interceptions, but I think that had more to do with TFCs poor passing, then on the attacking end he didn’t do much
Funny that you accuse others of “not watching the game” when you clearly didn’t.
If Mix’s performance was “invisible” then you might as well say Bradley didn’t suit up and Altidore stayed at home
I was referring to the fact that you claimed that Altidore played “up top” when he very prominently played on the wing. I know you more or less exist for the sake of running Alitidore down, but at least get your facts straight before interjecting your opinions.
And, how is Freddy Adu doing lately.
Hahahahahahahaha……Wow, leave my man out of this!!!!
Actually Bradley Attacking midfield and Jozy played as a wing not up top at all.
Bradley Attacking midfield and Jozy played as a wing ….attacking where? Because it wasn’t NYCFC. And Noscore? invisible all game and Giovinco was starved of service so he had to drop back fo the ball….maybe thats why.
And Giovinco didn’t come close to scoring. Wow, is he really bad or what?
Don’t say that….because it would put everyone on that team’s skill into prospective…don’t do that
No calls for obscure American journeyman to make your roster? Ned Grabavoy played well tonight.
Grabavoy was awful as usual. He does not belong on this team, he hinders good play and adds nothing to the team.
I know Bizzy seems to think that anyone selected by JK is worthless and tried to make a team without any of them except Duece.