Match Recap: NYCFC 2-3 Vancouver Whitecaps

NYCFC Goals: Chanot 33mins,Villa 41mins

Vancouver Goals: Montero 2mins, Harvey 53mins, Reyna 87mins

A Quick Look

New York City FC suffered a first defeat in five MLS games, going down to a 3-2 defeat at Vancouver.

Falling just short of the club record for consecutive victories, NYCFC’s winning streak was ended at four games as a result of Jordan Harvey's 53rd minute equalizer and Yordy Reyna's late, late winning goal.

Before that, goals from Maxime Chanot and David Villa had put Patrick Vieira’s men in the box seat following Freddy Montero’s early opener at BC Place.

This defeat leaves NYCFC with a 10-6-3 record through 19 games.

What Happened

Chasing a club record fifth-successive victory, NYCFC got off to the worst possible start at BC Place, finding themselves a goal down inside two minutes.

Alex Ring lost possession in the middle third and Freddy Montero strode clear, giving Eirik Johansen no chance with his slot into the bottom corner.

This was familiar territory for Patrick Vieira’s men, considering they’d been down in three of the four games in this four-match winning streak, and they almost drew level immediately through Tommy McNamara’s rasping drive which had to be tipped over the bar by David Outsted.

The equalizer nearly came from the resulting corner but Alexander Callens’ header deflected inches wide of the target as NYCFC gave the perfect reaction to going down early.

Despite the deficit, there was nothing wrong with the way NYC were approaching the game as they continued to pass through the lines of the field fluently and they perhaps should have had a penalty on 15’ when Andrea Pirlo appeared to be tripped entering the area but the referee waved away the protests.

Finally, the levy did break on 33’ and it was Chanot who showed his predatory instincts to latch onto RJ Allen’s clever ball back across goal from Pirlo’s corner, racing in behind Outsted to power home from close range.

Back on level terms, Vieira’s men pushed on for the turnaround goal and they would get it from the penalty spot on 41’.

Vancouver felt aggrieved with the call when Kendall Waston was adjudged to have put an arm to McNamara’s face but Villa channeled out the catcalls from the stands to slot home the spot-kick coolly for his 12^th goal of the campaign.

Following the interval, there were two blows for the boys in blue in as many minutes as, first, Herrera was withdrawn through injury just before Harvey levelled for the home side, ghosting in at the back post and firing a cross into the roof of the net.

Vancouver were having their best spell of the game and looked the likeliest to score the decisive fifth goal until the 75^th minute when Maxi Moralez made his comeback from injury in place of Pirlo.

The Argentine playmaker breathed new life into NYCFC as an attacking force, creating chances for McNamara and Harrison who both went close with ten minutes remaining.

Both Ousted and Johansen came to their teams’ rescues in a breathless, dramatic finale but it was Yordy Reyna who came up with the late suckerpunch - a resounding header which gave Vancouver a first-ever win over NYCFC.

Key Moment

It’s easy to see Yangel Herrera’s withdrawal through injury as a turning point, coming as it did just a minute before Vancouver’s equalizer.

Whether the timing of the goal was a coincidence or not, NYCFC have unquestionably been a better team with the Venezuelan on the field in 2017 and so Vieira will be hoping that the 19-year old’s injury is nothing too serious.

Man of the Match

Maxime Chanot

The scorer of the equalizing goal could not be faulted for any of the three concessions as he produced another solid performance at the heart of the back four. 

Social Post of the Game

Stats and Milestones

• NYCFC fell just short of their club record for successive MLS wins
• NYCFC are now 10-6-3 for the 2017 season
• This was NYCFC's first MLS defeat since May 28 at Atlanta
• Our head-to-head record with Vancouver now stands at 2-1-0
• Maxime Chanot scored his second MLS goal and second for NYCFC
• David Villa scored his 12th goal of the season and 53rd for the club

How They Lined Up

Patrick Vieira made two enforced changes to the lineup which started the 3-1 win over Minnesota United last time out, bringing in Andrea Pirlo and RJ Allen for Rodney Wallace (international duty) and Ronald Matarrita (injured).

What's Next

NYCFC are next in action after the international break on Wednesday July 19 when Eastern Conference high-flyers Toronto FC visit Yankee Stadium… get your tickets below!