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FT: New York City 2, LA Galaxy 1
Solid, gritty win for the Pigeons. For the first time in team history, they open a season with two wins. Villa and Tinnerholm had the goals, but the team was paced by Jesus Medina.
Next up for the Pigeons: another home date, this time against a winless Orlando City. Kickoff is Saturday, March 17, at 3:30 p.m. EST.
87’: New York City sub: Ronald Matarrita in for Rodney Wallace
This sub is a badly needed sub. Wallace has shown nothing in two starts, while Matarrita lost his left back position to Ben Sweat. Time for Mata to show his prowess.
85’: New York City sub: Ismael Tajouri in for David Villa
The winger comes on to replace the legend.
85’: RED CARD, ASHLEY COLE
A wild scramble in the box to clear away a threatening Galaxy attack results in David Villa getting sprung on the counter. LA’s Cole desperately tries to run him down, and only manages to foul him. This results in his second yellow card, and an early trip to the showers.
68’: New York City sub: Ebenezer Ofori in for Jesus Medina
Ofori makes his first MLS appearance.
59’: Goal, Jonathan dos Santos. New York City 2 - LA Galaxy 1
Left back Ben Sweat gets bullied off the ball by Ima Boateng. Boateng then feeds the ball to a waiting Jonathan dos Santos, who pokes the ball home.
53’: Another chance for Herrera!
53. Another good chance for #NYCFC as @Guaje7Villa finds a window for @YangelHerrera8 - but his hard shot on target is saved well by Bingham. #NYCFC
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) March 11, 2018
2-0 ✨ pic.twitter.com/uN0GA05It8
David Villa sets up the scoring chance for the Venezuelan, who’s only denied his first MLS goal of the season by David Bingham’s face. The Galaxy keeper is a bit dazed by the shot, but recovers to play on.
HT: New York City 2, LA Galaxy 0
The Pigeons are in control of this game. Goals from Tinnerholm and Villa have paced the attack, but in truth, this is a 2-0 game that feels a lot more lopsided. The Galaxy are hampered by injuries — Giovani dos Santos is limping around the field with what looks like a tweaked hamstring, and centerback Michael Ciani was withdrawn for Daniel Steres after suffering a knock.
33’: GOAL, DAVID VILLA! New York City 2 - LA Galaxy 0
A lethal counter-attack from NYC leaves @Guaje7Villa open on the doorstep...
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) March 11, 2018
Normal service resumed (cc: @Guaje7Villa) #Villa100 #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/4iZw7UPiOv
El Guaje celebrates his 100th MLS appearance with probably one of the easier goals he’s scored in America. Jesus Medina got the scoring sequence started with a lovely cross-field pass to LB Ben Sweat. His shot was parried by keeper David Bingham, but it only fell sweetly to Villa, who slotted home past a despairing Bingham.
22’: GOAL, ANTON TINNERHOLM! New York City 1 - LA Galaxy 0
A SWEDE STRIKE
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) March 11, 2018
WELCOME TO NEW YORK, ANTON #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/BR8RPonxYl
David Villa received the ball from a through ball, but hesitated far too long on the ball before shooting. The clearance by LA only got so far as the Swedish defender, who smashed home the volley to give New York City a deserved lead.
It’s Tinnerholm’s first MLS goal.
8’: Yangel Herrera has the first New York City chance
8. CLOSE! @YangelHerrera8 puts the first charge in the crowd early with this long rang effort... #NYCFC
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) March 11, 2018
0-0 ✨ pic.twitter.com/2tpxyxoRAP
Herrera got the first good look for the Pigeons, barely missing with this shot. LA have played stout defense so far, limiting NYC’s offensive penetration.
Lineups:
New York City Starting XI:
4-3-3, L-to-R: Johnson; Sweat, Callens, Ibeagha, Tinnerholm; Herrera, Moralez, Ring; Wallace, Villa (c), Medina.
Bench: Stuver (GK), Hountondji, Matarrita, Awuah (D), Ofori, McNamara (MF), Tajouri (F)
LA Galaxy Starting XI:
4-2-3-1, L-to-R: Bingham; Cole, Skjelvik; Ciani, Feltscher; Kitchen, J. dos Santos; Boateng, G. dos Santos, Lleget; Kamara.
Bench: vom Steeg (GK), Steres, Klimenta, Romney (D), Husidic, Carrasco (MF), Lassiter (F)
- Suspended: Maxim Chanot (red card against SKC), NYCFC; no one suspended for LAG
- Injured: Jo-Inge Berget (OUT, quad), NYCFC; Romain Alessandrini (OUT, hamstring), LAG
Officials:
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Assistant referees: Corey Parker and Kathryn Nesbitt
4th official: Alex Chilowicz
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
How To Watch
Match date & time: March 11, 2018, 5 p.m. EST
Venue: Yankee Stadium, the Bronx
Online Streaming: MLS LIVE, FuboTV
TV: YES
Local Radio: WNYE 91.5 FM — English (Crooks, Kolker, Masur, Lawrence); WADO 1280 AM — Spanish (Abramowitz, Judas).
All-time series: New York City leads with two wins. The teams have met three times; the Pigeons won the last home encounter 1-0, on August 20, 2016.
This post will update with highlights and information as we receive it.