Post-Match Recap: New York City FC vs Atlanta United

Just like it was billed in the lead-up – we saw goals. Fortunately, the goals went our way as New York City FC improved to a 5-3-1 overall record after an impressive performance at Yankee Stadium against the visiting Atlanta United.

Fun Fact

Atlanta United were without Josef Martinez, who is recovering from a left quad injury. Martinez, who originally signed on loan from Serie A’s Torino before inking a permanent deal with the club, has scored an impressive 5 goals in just 3 appearances this season. Atlanta has struggled in his absence.

The Goals

17’ New York City – David Villa and Rodney Wallace connect to set the Spaniard through on goal, who opened up his hips and fired a shot that bounced in off the inside of the post.

39’ Atlanta United – Carlos Carmona scores against the run of play as NYCFC struggled to clear the ball off of a throw-in, which found its way to Carmana who fired a powerful volley into the back of the net.

60’ New York City – Ethan White makes a great overlapping run off of Jack Harrison and hits a powerful low cross that finds Rodney Wallace, whose fortunate backheel touch guides the ball into the back of the net.

61’ New York City – Maxi Moralez scores just a minute later as Rodney Wallace plays the Argentinian through on goal who found the bottom corner.

Player  Of The Match

A few deserving candidates here but the award ultimately goes to David Villa, who broke the deadlock with an incredible finish to beat Alec Kann. Villa played well in between the lines throughout the match and did a great job linking up with his teammates. Villa was tireless all match, pressing the backline throughout the afternoon and put in a true captains performance, such that wins you MVP awards.

Game Summary

This match was a true story of two halves. Both teams created wonderful scoring chances in the early minutes of the game, but ultimately it was David Villa who opened up the scoring in the Bronx, in MVP-type fashion, with a powerful shot that fired in off of the inside of the post. Atlanta United equalized, against the run of play, with an impressive goal of their own as Carlos Carmona fires in a wicked volley that Sean Johnson had no chance to save.

Rodney Wallace had several opportunities to score early in the second half and eventually redeemed himself in the 60’ when he scored, luckily, off a fantastic low cross from Ethan White, who was a constant threat on that right flank all afternoon. White had a fantastic performance at right-back and created several goal scoring opportunities through his accurate crosses. Maxi Moralez scored just a minute later after Villa won a header from a Sean Johnson goal kick. Villa’s header found Wallace, who played the little Argentinian in on goal and he took care of the rest.

The result was fair, as NYCFC was the better team on the day and seemed comfortable throughout the afternoon. Much was made in the days leading up to the match of the Atlanta United high press and questions were asked of how NYCFC’s playing out-of-the-back style could cope with it. NYCFC dominated the game and created the better of the opportunities, outshooting Atlanta 16 to 9.

Next Up: FC Dallas

A huge test awaits NYCFC next week as they travel to Dallas to take on Major League Soccer’s consensus best team in FC Dallas, who are coming off a 3-0 win against Real Salt Lake just last night. FC Dallas is tied with Sporting KC on points at the top of the Western Conference, with two games in hand. This will be NYCFC’s biggest test this season and will give us a glimpse as to just how good the boys in blue really are, and how far they can go.