SAN JOSE, CA – With three wins and a draw, New York City FC traveled west to face the San Jose Earthquakes. The team again showed resiliency and strength to battle from a 1-0 deficit at halftime to win 1-2. City now move to the top of the league with 13 points out of 15 and are still one of three clubs in the league (FC Dallas and Philadelphia Union) to avoid the first L of the season.
NYCFC XI:
Tajouri-Shradi Villa Medina
Moralez Ofori Herrera
Abdul-Salaam Callens Chanot Tinnerholm
Johnson— NYCFC Nation (@NYCFCNation) March 31, 2018
Scoring without David Villa was the main issue last year. That problem looked to show its face again in the first half. Villa was initially named in the starting XI, but had to be withdrawn just before kick-off due to injury during warm-ups. Jo Inge Berget had to step in. Shortly after kickoff, just over two minutes in, San Jose scores from a corner kick by Magnus Eriksson directed towards the six-yard box where Yefferson Quintana gets his head to the ball and finds the far netting.
Playing down a goal for the remainder of the match, City would find an equalizer in the 49th minute, also from a corner kick. Maxi Moralez finds Anton Tinnerholm who smashes the ball with his right foot off the crossbar and into goal.
Then at the hour mark, City take the lead with a pacey run from the right by Ismael Tajouri-Shradi who, soon after arriving into the 18-yard box, lays it back to Moralez, whose shot was deflected in.
City kept the scoreline at 1-2 for a half hour plus six minutes minimum of stoppage time. San Jose had their chances but Sean Johnson came up big. Johnson came up with nine saves in total on the night, his highest tally so far this season (made six in the previous match and three in each of the first three matches).
City’s record against the San Jose Earthquakes extends to 3W-1D-0L.
Confidence
Out of the ten goals scored by city this season so far, still only one has been scored by Villa. It is still very early in the season, but it seems that the scoring options are still wide spread across the roster.
A win on the road after trailing for 46 minutes to keep the undefeated streak to five games should take the morale in the locker room to another level. Fans would hope that this run of form continues.
Concern
The Villa injury is most likely the most concerning. The only news known as of now is that the injury will be examined when Villa returns.
Saad Abdul-Salaam was seen holding his leg during the match. This may also be something to keep an eye on.
AfterFacts
1. Scoring exactly two goals in each of five matches is a record for the club. (Last year, there was a streak of five matches scoring exactly one goal).
2. Tinnerholm is now two for two with goals per shot. (Unfortunately, Tajouri’s average dropped after missing his free kick shot.)
3. City has reached five matches unbeaten for the fourth time in NYCFC history (once in 2016, and twice last year)
Next Up
The next match on NYCFC’s schedule is 11 days away on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium to Real Salt Lake, who head to head currently have 3 wins out of 3 over City. Will this form help that turn around?
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