Photo by Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports

By RYAN TOLMICH

NEW YORK — New York City FC’s playoff hopes will continue for another week.

Still alive in the pursuit of a postseason berth, NYCFC kept hopes alive Saturday by defeating the visiting San Jose Earthquakes, 3-2, at Yankee Stadium.

As things stand, NYCFC sits on 34 points with four games remaining as the team continues to battle with Orlando City, Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact for two playoff spots. On the other end, the Earthquakes remain on 40 points, keeping them out of a Western Conference playoff spot for another week.

After settling for a deadlock in a very physical first half, NYCFC found the back of the net in the 51st minute through an unlikely goalscorer in Ned Grabavoy.

Following a flick-on from Frank Lampard, Grabavoy headed a pass to David Villa before darting toward the goal. The Spanish striker played a ball up and over the Quakes defense and into the path of a streaking Grabavoy, who finished calmly to give NYCFC the lead.

Just 12 minutes later, Grabavoy popped up again, scoring his second goal of the night and on the season. On the receiving end of a ball in from Lampard, Grabavoy headed home to double the NYCFC advantage.

The finishes were Grabavoy’s first since Oct. 11, 2014. 

The lead was then tripled by Villa two minutes later, as a ball in from Angelino found the head of his Spanish compatriot. Villa headed it right back where it came, smashing a shot into the far corner, giving NYCFC a 3-0 lead.

From there, the game tilted toward San Jose in a major way, as Quincy Amarikwa and Chris Wondolowski each netted goals for the visitors. However, the deficit would prove too great, as NYCFC earned a crucial three points towards playoff contention.

Throughout the majority of the first half, the hosts remained on the front foot, spurred on by the game’s early physicality. Both sides racked up yellow cards throughout the opening half, combining for four cautions in a grind of an opening half.

Yet, both sides had their share of chances, the best of which came on a 40th minute headed effort from Andrew Jacobson. On a ball in from Andrea Pirlo, the midfielder’s shot smashed right off the near post before rolling harmlessly out of play.

On the other end, the Quakes found some success as well, forcing NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders into a pair of big-time saves in the 16th minute. After pawing away a Matias Perez Garcia cross, the NYCFC goalkeeper dove to keep out a point-blank volley from Sanna Nyassi as the game went into the half scoreless.

The Quakes would come to rue their missed chances, as NYCFC’s barrage of second half goals proved insurmountable, despite the pair of late finishes from the team’s two forwards.

Following the win, NYCFC returns to action next Saturday with a visit to BC Place to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Quakes look to rebound one day later when Avaya Stadium plays host to Real Salt Lake.