NYCFC Goals: Wallace 43mins
Montreal Goals: Oduro 67mins
Quick Look…
NYCFC are 1-1-1 through their first three games after a 1-1 draw with Montreal Impact on Saturday. Rodney Wallace scored the opening goal just before half-time but Dominic Oduro cancelled it out with 67 minutes played.
What Happened…
NYCFC dropped a one-goal lead at a bitterly cold Yankee Stadium to tie 1-1 with Montreal Impact.
It was a case of history repeating itself as Oduro cancelled out Wallace’s opening goal to level the match, meaning the teams shared the spoils.
There was golden opportunity for NYCFC to take the lead inside two minutes when David Villa got to the byline and pulled it back for Jack Harrison but the Englishman fired over the bar from ten yards out.
Following a spell of Montreal pressure which yielded no clear chances, it was the home side who went closest to finding the opener on 18’ when Harrison’s pace and trickery slipped Ambroise Oyongo but this time Alex Ring couldn’t convert the opportunity from close range.
On 25’, the Boys in Blue went even closer after Villa exchanged passes with Rodney Wallace and found himself through on goal but, while effort beat the onrushing Evan Bush, it bounced the wrong side of the target and wide.
Despite the flurry of chances, you felt as though NYCFC always had another gear to go to and, as the half wore on, Vieira’s men started to take a stranglehold on the midfield battleground, cutting through Montreal’s resistance with increasing regularity.
This intense pressure finally told with two minutes of the half remaining when Wallace netted his second goal for the club and second in as many games.
Similar to his first against DC, Wallace reacted quickest when Ring’s shot was well-saved by Bush, turning it in on the stretch after some sublime wing-play from Harrison on the right.
It was a lead NYCFC deserved but only a lick of paint kept it in tact going in at the interval as Ignacio Piatti struck the post before the half-time whistle.
That was a reminder of the fragility of the lead and it was one that seemed to be heeded as the home team flew out of the traps in the second period, with the Matarrita and Wallace left sided combination looking especially dangerous.
The goalscorer provided the first one-on-one chance of the second half when he squared for Maxi Moralez but the Argentine playmaker missed the target when he will feel he really ought to have scored.
NYCFC paid for their profligacy a few minutes later when Montreal equalized against the run of play through Oduro who raced onto a ball over the top and thumped it into the roof of the net.
Jonathan Lewis came in for his professional debut on 78' and was soon followed by Tommy McNamara as Vieira went all out to regain the lead but it wasn't to be, leaving NYCFC to rue their missed chances.
Key Moment…
13 minutes were on the clock when Dominic Oduro ran through clear on goal and looked like he was about to give Montreal the early lead.
Fortunately, Maxime Chanot’s strength and timing in the tackle, as well as Ronald Matarrita’s pace to exert the pressure, prevented the Canadian side from edging in front and changing the shape of the game.
Man of the Match…
Jack Harrison
Montreal right-back Ambroise Oyongo will be happy to see the back of Jack Harrison for a few months…
The winger scored one of the best goals of 2016 when he twisted Oyongo inside and out and he was a thorn in the defender’s side once again in this match, especially in the first half.
Jack’s wing wizardry was the key to the opening goal of the game as he beat his man and served up the cross for Ring who saw his shot parried, only for Wallace to turn in.
Social Post of the Match…
Stats and Milestones…
- Rodney Wallace scored his second goal for NYCFC.
- NYCFC remain unbeaten at home in ten Regular Season games, winning eight of those games (2D)
- Jonathan Lewis made his NYCFC and professional debut as a second half substitute.
- For the second year in a row, Dominic Oduro scored the equalizer against NYCFC.
- Montreal are still without a win in the 2017 MLS Season.
How They Lined Up…
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Matarrita, Chanot, Callens, White, Ring, Pirlo, Moralez, Wallace, Harrison, Villa (C)
Head Coach Patrick Vieira opted not to change a winning team for the visit of Montreal.
The Frenchman named the same XI which swept DC United away in the Home Opener, retaining Ethan White at right-back.
White was joined by Ronald Matarrita, Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens in defense, in front of Sean Johnson who kept his place in goal.
There was a midfield three of Alex Ring, Andrea Pirlo and Maxi Moralez behind David Villa, Jack Harrison and Rodney Wallace.
What’s Next…
Following the international break, NYCFC return to action on April 1, when San Jose Earthquakes visit Yankee Stadium.
