Frank Lampard scored his first MLS goal and New York City FC beat Toronto FC 2-0 on Wednesday night to end a three-game losing streak.
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New York City FC is still alive and kicking in the Major League Soccer playoff race.
Midfielder Andrew Jacobson felt the team is starting to get its act together. We are starting to get a feel for other players. On the practice field and in games.
“The fact that it’s cool in the evening, late in the evening, played a part because you can run much more when it’s cool”, he said through an interpreter.
But the former England global finally gave New York City fans something to cheer about, scuffing a shot into the bottom corner of the net after 20 minutes. He didn’t debut until August 1 and has been a non-factor throughout his time at NYCFC, but started to show some improvements in fitness and is starting to adjust to the aggressive play in MLS.
“We must consider one game at a time, ” said Pirlo, whom coach Jason Kreis said had his best game in an NYCFC uniform. “And I think that hes been in many situations like this before that require a massive effort. I think, really, in the last two games he’s really worked extremely hard and played quite well”.
Lampard’s goal was set up when Andrea Pirlo sent a pass into the box to overlapping defender RJ Allen, and Allen passed it back to the open Lampard.
The teams exchanged opportunities in the second half.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half provided little chances from either teams, it wasn’t until the 60th minute when Giovinco stepped up for a free kick from 30 yards out that either keeper was tested.
Bekker scored in the 65th minute to earn the Impact a share of the spoils after San Jose had taken the lead after 35 minutes through Chris Wondolowski. Bradley fired a shot from distance in the 70th minute that Saunders pushed away.
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The NYCFC boss revealed Villa failed a fitness test on Tuesday and will be reevaluated ahead of Saturday’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes.
