NYCFC – 1
Necaxa – 2
Match recap …
In a friendly match played during the MLS international break, New York City FC dropped a 2-1 decision to Club Necaxa of Liga MX at Estadio Victoria Friday night.
Jesus Isijara put the hosts in front on 24 minutes, finding a way to put a shot past Eirik Johansen, who was solid in his first appearance since facing the New York Cosmos in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in June.
Rodrigo Prieto doubled Necaxa’s lead in the 79th minute with a tap-in from the edge of the six-yard box.
Kyle Parker, one of four players on the traveling squad from USL affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC, cut NYCFC’s deficit to 2-1 in the 83rd minute. Parker was played into the box by Diego Martinez and put his shot off the far post and into the net.
Mix Diskerud came close to giving NYCFC an early lead when he took a chipped ball from Andrea Pirlo and headed it on frame, but the ball was saved off the crossbar.
Mikey Lopez had a chance in the 62nd minute when he took a pass from Mehdi Ballouchy into the 18-yard box, but he put his attempt wide of the far post from 12 yards out.
Three minutes later, Lopez had his open shot from 12 yards out saved and Ballouchy just missed the open net on the rebound.
Johansen did well to get a hand on a shot by Diego Riolfo, resulting in a Necaxa corner kick in the 78th minute.
RELATED:Photos: NYCFC at Club Necaxa
Photo of the Match ...
How they lined up …
Patrick Vieira made all but four changes from the side that defeated the Houston Dynamo last Friday. Eirik Johansen started in goal with Diego Martinez, Jefferson Mena, Ethan White and Mikey Lopez left to right in a four-man backline.
Federico Bravo played as the deep lying midfielder in front of Andrea Pirlo and Mix Diskerud and Mehdi Ballouchy started up front with David Villa and Khiry Shelton.
In the 59th minute, RJ Allen came on for Shelton as the first NYCFC substitution, followed by Tommy McNamara replacing Villa, who left to a thunderous ovation, one minute later.
Pirlo left the match to a huge roar with chants of “Pirlo, Pirlo” in the 73rd minute, to be replaced by Peabo Doue, one of four players on the 19-man traveling squad from USL affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC.
Kyle Parker, also of the Wilmington Hammerheads FC, came on for Diskerud in the 81st minute.
Key moment …
Called into the traveling squad from USL affiliate Wilmington Hammerheads FC, Kyle Parker entered the match in the 81st minute and found the back of the net just two minutes later.
Parker made a smart run into the box and received a pass from Diego Martinez and slipped a shot that caromed off the far post and over the goal line to cut NYCFC’s deficit to 2-1.
What it means …
After playing their first-ever match in Mexico, NYCFC return to MLS play when they take on D.C. United at RFK Stadium Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. followed by their final regular season game at Yankee Stadium against the Columbus Crew Oct. 23 at 4 p.m.
NYCFC is currently level on points with the New York Red Bulls atop the Eastern Conference. The top two teams in both conferences earn a bye into the two-legged conference semifinals.
