Jason Kreis’ squad saw itself improve their playoffs hopes after defeating first place and Eastern conference foes D.C. United Thursday night from three unanswered second half goals by Thomas McNamara, David Villa, and Kwadwo Poku to improve their record to 7-11-6, snapping a 2-game losing streak. United dropped to a 13-8-5 record on the season in front of a sold-out Yankee Stadium crowd of 28,262 fans.
After a quiet 35 minutes Alvaro Saborio opened the scoring for D.C. with a 36th minute strike from the penalty spot on a pass coming from Chris Rolfe after a New York turnover. Ben Olsen’s club has managed to remain atop the standing without star player Espindola for more than half the season, but D.C. need more help after being stuffed by the NYCFC defense after an early goal. Just two minutes after Saborio’s strike, NYCFC nearly found an answer, but began to steal momentum. Villa riffled a shot passed D.C. keeper Bill Hamid to only be blocked out of net by United defender Bobby Boswell. D.C. held on to a slim first half lead to what was a slow paced of play match thus far.
The road struggles continued for 1st place United as the final 45 was attack after attack by New York and in the 51st minute NYCFC tied the match 1-1 and snapped Bill Hamid’s 400th minute goalless streak off of a McNamara goal that was assisted on a pass from Poku. Later in the half Villa broke the draw with an 80th minute strike assisted by Pirlo to put the home side up 2-1. Poku then turned in a 88th minute goal to seal New York’s victory and capture three points.
