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Medina lifts NYCFC in Bronx opener
After every other New York City FC home opener, David Villa was the one who rightly grabbed the praise.
“El Guaje” scored in his fourth consecutive home opener Sunday at Yankee Stadium, his 100th game with NYCFC. But it was the other kid — Jesus Medina — who was the main talking point after NYCFC beat the L.A. Galaxy, 2-1, on a chilly afternoon.
The 20-year-old midfielder orchestrated both NYCFC goals in his first appearance in The Bronx.
“I loved the way he works for the team and how he creates space for players,” coach Patrick Vieira said. “He understands the game really well.”
Indeed, Medina was respon- sible for both of NYCFC’s wins this season — marking the first time the club has won its first two games to start a season. That was especially true in Sunday’s 33rd minute when his thunderous counterattack got Villa his first goal of the season.
Medina quickly dribbled with the ball from the NYCFC half, where he weaved past two Galaxy defenders before sliding a perfect cross to Ben Sweat in the box. Sweat’s attempt was blocked, but Villa trailed and scored off the rebound.
Medina also created the team’s first goal when he a threaded pass to Villa in the Galaxy box in the 22nd minute before right back Anton Tinner- holm cleaned a poor clearance with a rocket off his left foot.
It was Tinnerholm’s first goal and a positive sign as it appears the Swede will bring stability to the position.
Despite Medina’s brilliance, Vieira opted to sub for him in the 68th minute for the second time in as many games. In came midfielder Ebenezer Ofori, a defensive-minded move after L.A.’s Jonathan dos Santos’ tap-in goal had caught NYCFC’s backline asleep just eight minutes earlier.
That substitution was telling about Medina’s makeup.
“What I love about him is he wasn’t happy to come off. When players aren’t happy to come off, that means they enjoy being on the field,” Vieira said.