(Frank Lampard, David Villa, and Andrea Pirlo celebrate – Photo by Mike Lawrence)
New York City Football Club got a huge win out in the Pacific Northwest, as they stunned the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1.
David Villa got the winner in the 95th minute on a penalty kick that he drew in the box. This was Villa’s team-leading 18th goal of the season.
This game just seven minutes after Pedro Morales tied it for Vancouver in the 88th minute.
Frank Lampard opened the scoring in the 29th minute off a feed from Angelino and Andrea Pirlo. This was Lampard’s second goal of the season, with his first coming on September 16th against Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium.
With the win, NYC improves to 10-14-7, with 37 points, five points behind the Montreal Impact (42 points, 12-11-6) for the sixth and final playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.
NYC FC Head Coach Jason Kreis said of this being a must-win match, “In our minds we have to win out, that’s clear in our mind. It’s the only way we have a chance, and then we [still] might not. Really, really pleased with the performance again tonight, so happy with the efforts that’s been put forth and the togetherness that we’ve been showing in a consistent basis.”
Kreis said of their DPs, Villa, Lampard, and Pirlo, “I think those guys put on a good show. I think both teams really went after it. I think it was a great game.”
On if things are starting to click, Kreis said, “I think so, I’m looking out there watching the game, I’m seeing a lot of the tactical stuff now happening we’ve been trying to preach now for the better part of the entire season and had to re-preach and re-teach when the new players came in, so really pleased with the performances.”
Lampard said of the match, “We’re happy, obviously, it’s a win here, it’s a difficult place to come. Vancouver has had a strong season, it’s big for us, it keeps our hopes alive. I think we’re in a must win situation now for the rest of the season so if we lost those points when they scored the penalty, I think we would’ve been disappointed.”
Lampard said of playing on turf, “I enjoyed it, it’s quite a new experience for a few of us. I think its good turf, it plays fair. You adapt slightly, I have to say I found it enjoyable to play on.”
Lampard said of the atmosphere in Vancouver, “Really good, really good, the stadium’s fantastic. I found the city to be an amazing place for the last couple of days I’ve been here, very welcoming, a great place. I found the atmosphere in the stadium and I found the fans behind their team as they should be.”
Lampard said of his goal, “I have to say a big thanks to the players who made it. Andrea’s ball was superb, Angelio played a fantastic cross and I arrived at the time and I think it was a very good team goal.”
NYC FC midfielder Mix Diskerud said of the game, “It was intense. Vancouver had their chances and I mean they’re going five v. two, two or three times near the end. They looked like they were going to score and then it was kind of back and forth.”