NYCFC – 2
D.C. United – 0
Match recap …
David Villa and Khiry Shelton scored four minutes apart in the second half to help lift New York City FC to a 2-0 win against D.C. United Sunday night at RFK Stadium.
It is NYCFC’s second consecutive victory, second win away from home and second clean sheet of the season.
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Villa broke the scoreless stalemate four minutes into the second half with his seventh goal of the season. Shelton made a run from the right touchline, cutting inside before serving a ball inside the six-yard box. Tommy McNamara latched onto the ball, flicking it cleverly back to Villa, who clinically finished off D.C. United goalkeeper Travis Worra.
Four minutes later, Shelton made it 2-0 on his second goal of the season. McNamara kept the possession alive with a terrific save by the end line and Ronald Matarrita settled an attempted D.C. United clearance. Matarrita whipped a ball to the edge of the six where Shelton split a pair of defenders to knock the ball in off his head.
Villa had NYCFC’s best chance of the scoreless first half, putting a left-footed shot that Worra parried away and cleared for an NYCF throw in the 33rd minute.
Photos: New York City FC at D.C. United
After missing a sitter six minutes earlier, Alvaro Saborio got behind the NYCFC defense, but Josh Saunders did well to come off his line and grab the ball off the Costa Rican’s foot on his first touch in the 38th minute.
D.C. United had an opportunity to pull within a goal on the hour mark, but Marcelo Sarvas put a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box off the post.
NYCFC threatened in the 64th minute with Andrea Pirlo’s low shot deflecting out for a corner kick after Shelton’s first-time shot was blocked. McNamara flicked on the ensuing corner to Villa, whose attempt was saved well by Worra.
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How they lined up …
NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira made one change to the 4-3-3 formation that started in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday with a healthy RJ Allen back at right back, replacing Ethan White.
Steven Mendoza came on for McNamara as Vieira’s first change in the 72nd minute and Andoni Iraola replaced Shelton six minutes later as Vieira switched to five in the back for the final quarter hour.
White came on for Allen with NYCFC’s third and final substitution in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
Key moment …
In a scoreless first half, Saunders made sure the hosts didn’t take the lead. The goalkeeper, who made his 99th career MLS appearance, pounced off his line to grab the ball off Saborio’s foot after the Costa Rican got in behind the NYCFC backline.
Man of the Match …
David Villa
Villa continued his torrid scoring pace, netting his team-leading seventh goal of the season to put NYCFC ahead in the 49th minute. The captain ran onto a laid off ball by McNamara in the box and blasted the ball into the net from 13 yards out.
Villa, who netted a brace in a 3-2 win over Vancouver, tied Portland’s Fanendo Adi and Chris Wondolowski from San Jose atop the league’s goal list.
Stats and milestones …
- NYCFC is one of five teams in MLS with at least two road victories this season, joining Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City.
- NYCFC improves to 2-1 all-time against D.C. United after splitting a pair of results a year ago.
- Shelton scored his second goal of the season but this was the first time he scored an MLS goal with his head.
- Villa scored his seventh goal of the season and now is tied for first in the MLS in goals scored.
What it means …
NYCFC climbs the Eastern Conference standings with another three points and are now level with third-place Philadelphia with 13 points, two behind first-place Montreal.
NYCFC continued its three-game road trip next Sunday against the Portland Timbers before facing Toronto FC at BMO Field on May 18.
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