(NYC FC’s David Villa battling Hector Jimenez of the Columbus Crew – USA Today Sports)
The New York City Football Club got two goals from David Villa, but it was not enough as they lost to the Columbus Crew, 3-2, on the road.
Columbus got on the board early, when Ethan Finlay scored just seven minutes in. Villa responded with his first goal in the 15th minute to tie the game, and it stayed that way until halftime.
In the second half, Columbus took the lead on a goal from Kei Kamara in the 49th minute, and went up 3-1 when Justin Meram scored in the 80th minute.
Villa’s second goal came on a penalty kick in the 87th minute.
NYC FC powered in 19 shots, but only 5 were on target. Columbus had only three shots on goal, and scored on all of them, and had 15 shots overall.
NYC FC falls to 1-3-2 on the season, and this was their first loss on the road. Their only victory came on the road, in the opening game at the Chicago Fire on March 6.
POSTGAME REACTION:
NEW YORK CITY FC HEAD COACH PATRICK VIEIRA:
On what has not been going as planned following the Week 1 win vs. Chicago Fire: “It is difficult to put a finger on what’s not going right. I think we played against a team that is better than us today, I think there is nothing more to say. We came here and we tried to develop our game; the same game that we played against Chicago in our opening game. We shouldn’t forget that we played against a team that played in the final last year and how good and how strong they are. I think tonight gave me a good level of where we are and where we want to be.”
On if it is dangerous preparing for this match against a winless Columbus Crew SC: “No, it wasn’t dangerous at all. We knew what to expect. I’ve been watching all their games they’ve played so far. They played some fantastic football. Since the beginning of the week I said to my players that this team is not in a position where they should be. They are better than the position they are at the moment. We prepared a game and we knew what to expect tonight and obviously we didn’t play our game and definitely we did not respect our game plan at all.”
On the issues in defense and how to fix them: “Keep working. Keep working even harder. Strongly believe that we are doing the right things. We have to keep believing in ourselves. We still had a few chances tonight even if we didn’t play well. It is always good to create chances, but I think it is about the team; about how can we help the strikers to create chances, how can we help our defense to defend better. That’s how we are defending from the midfield and from the front players.”
On the biggest challenge Crew SC posed tonight for NYCFC: “I think the way that they have their wingers come inside and the way they are passing the ball in the midfield. I think we overloaded in the midfield all the time. Technically, they make the game really simple but they are respecting the game and they make it very difficult for our midfielders.”
NEW YORK CITY FC FORWARD DAVID VILLA:
On the overall thoughts on the match: “Frustrating … I think this is the best team to play in our conference, Columbus, a very good team. They didn’t start very well, but today they played well. Sometimes they are very dangerous winning the ball in our half, in the middle of the half. We took control, with the goal; we took control of the game again. But, in the second half, they were better, getting the two goals. Disappointing.”
On what NYCFC learned from the match: “I don’t know. You can learn a lot of things in 90 minutes. In the week, we will watch the videos and analyze it to get better.”
NEW YORK CITY FC DEFENDER JASON HERNANDEZ:
On tonight’s match: “I thought tonight was a difficult match. Obviously, Columbus was ready to throw everything at us to win on their home field. I think they showed why they went to the championship last year. They are a very good team and I think as far as the measuring stick goes, we understand that that’s a team that we want to improve to be like. They move the ball well, they were very dangerous, and I think as far as a measuring stick, I understand we have improvements to make but still we almost got something out of the game.”
On what can be learned from the match: “I think as far as a unit, defending the movement, they had some great timing and they were able to break us down. Overall, understanding that is the measuring stick for the top two teams in this league. They are very dynamic and understand the system very well. That’s a process we’re trying to improve on and get there ourselves, but we kind of have to shake this off and get ready for next week, and it’ll get better from there.”
On his 250th appearance: “It’s bittersweet, obviously. For myself, it’s something that I’m really proud of, my durability and being able to contribute year in and year out. But unfortunately we didn’t get a win tonight. But something I’m really happy about, hopefully there will be many more.”