photo by Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports

By FRANCO PANIZO

It took almost three months, a wonder goal and a second-half comeback to help New York City FC find its way back into the win column.

Sparked by a Tommy McNamara wonder goal, and 87th-minute winner from Patrick Mullins, NYCFC snapped a run of 11 games without a victory on Saturday by rallying to a 2-1 triumph over the Philadelphia Union. The win at PPL Park was the expansion club’s first on the road, and also gave NYCFC a full three points for the first time since beating the New England Revolution, 2-0, at Yankee Stadium back on March 15.

McNamara started the comeback in the 53rd minute, hitting a bomb from about 30 yards out into the top far corner past helpless Union goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. Mullins then sealed the win for Jason Kreis’ side, netting his third goal of the season on a shot to the near post.

Early in the second half, it looked like it would be the same old struggling story for New York City. C.J. Sapong opened the scoring a minute after halftime, hitting a low effort into the back of the net after apparently bringing down a corner kick from Sebastien Le Toux with his arm.

NYCFC refused to roll over, however. Saunders recorded six saves in the game to keep New York City’s dreams of picking up a win alive, including on one play in the 80th minute that saw him deny Zach Pfeffer.

New York City FC defender Shay Facey also played a pivotal part in helping the club keep the Union from finding a second, as he was constantly in the thick of things and clearing balls played into the penalty area.

Still, it was McNamara’s likely Goal of the Week candidate that put NYCFC in a position to grab a late goal. After David Villa failed to put away a good chance in the 86th minute, Mullins beat Sylvestre to give NYCFC the win it has long been searching for.

NYCFC will return home looking to build on this victory on Saturday against the Montreal Impact, while Philadelphia is off from MLS action until it visits the LA Galaxy on June 20.