Villa scores one, but NYCFC loses
NEW YORK City Football Club better hope that these are just the growing pains of an expansion team, because defeats such as Saturday’s leave the impression that the David Villa Show doesn’t have much of a supporting cast.
NYCFC allowed a goal in the 91st minute of its 2-1 road defeat to the Philadelphia Union, extending its winless streak to three in a game that seemed set up for its success. Afterward, coach Jason Kreis harped on a specific defensive lapse leading to Philly’s game-winning goal, a lack of aggression from midfielder Javier Calle to challenge a long punt from the opposing keeper.
“It bounces about 35 yards from our goal. It bounces,” Kreis said. “You should never see that. Never. Not at this level. We need to look at that and figure out how in the world the ball is allowed to bounce the way it did. Because from there, it’s going to be a comedy of errors.”
Villa was in the lineup again after missing the previous game with a groin injury. NYCFC was coming off a bye week, fully rested. Philadelphia entered winless, having allowed nine goals in its opening five games. But then NYCFC’s toothless offense stalled (again), extending a scoreless streak to 241 minutes before Villa finally found the net in the second half. Villa was responsible for three of NYCFC’s four shots on goal.
Vincent Nogueira eventually pounded home the winner for Philly off a failed clearance, as NYCFC squandered points off a goal in stoppage time for the second time this season.
In this instance, Calle, a 23-yearold Colombian who entered the game as a sub, not only allowed a punt to bounce, he was then beaten on the wing by Andrew Wegner.
Wegner’s cross was deflected in the air by goalkeeper Josh Saunders, right to the foot of Noguiera just 12 yards from goal.
For NYCFC (1-2-2), the result is a low point for its inaugural month. The visitors generated only seven shots compared to 12 from Philly (1-2-3), dominating possession with little to show for it.
Kreis has sent warnings about the potential for a slow start. Among the many problems is that Villa isn’t getting much creative help. Frank Lampard can’t come fast enough.
“I feel like there’s so much urgency right now that every time someone gets the ball, we need to have a goal-scoring chance,” Kreis said.
Villa scored Saturday for the second time in four appearances, pouncing on a loose ball in the box in the 55th minute to knot the game at 1.
Philly struck first in the 27th minute, when Sebastian LeToux beat Jason Hernandez on the end line and crossed to Eric Ayuk, the 18-year-old Cameroonian who one-timed a gimme in front of the goalmouth. Ayuk then celebrated with four successive backflips, but the goal was credited to Zach Pfeffer, who apparently touched the ball just before it crossed the goal line.