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MLS New York City FC

New York City FC Goes on Scoring Binge to Top Orlando City SC 5-3

July 26, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


Andrea Pirlo of New York City FC
Andrea Pirlo of New York City FC
(New York City FC, Credit: New York City FC)

Bronx, NY - New York City FC took a big step in the right direction as the Club vies to qualify for the Major League Soccer playoffs in their inaugural season.

Captain David Villa scored twice, Javier Calle found the back of the net for the first time for the Club, and Tommy McNamara and Mix Diskerud helped seal all three points as New York City FC beat Orlando City SC 5-3 in front of 32,041 on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

New York City FC improve to 6-9-6 (24 points) and move up to seventh place in the Eastern Conference, while fellow expansion side Orlando City SC fall to 6-9-6 (24 points) and dropped to eighth.

Villa, who was recently named to the 2015 MLS All-Star Gameday roster, put the Club ahead right before halftime after a back-and-forth first half were neither team could seize momentum.

Angelino served up a pinpoint ball from midfield over the top to Villa in the box. The former Spain international showed deft control with his right foot despite having Sean St. Ledger draped over him. Villa created space, squared up and fired home his team-leading 11th goal of the season.

The visitors got one back following the interval.

Cyle Larin scored the first of his three goals on the day in the 50th minute to make it 1-1.

New York City FC needed just three minutes to regain the lead as Calle, who was making his first start since April 24, tapped in a teasing cross by McNamara from about 6 yards out to make it 2-1.

It was the Colombian's first goal for the Club and in MLS.

Larin, the first overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, made it 2-2 with a tap-in of his own. Darwin Ceren ran onto a through ball down the left flank and sent a low cross into the box that Larin nailed home in the 61st minute.

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo made his New York City FC debut to a raucous ovation, replacing Mehdi Ballouchy in the 56th minute. The Italian maestro was instrumental in setting up the Club's third goal in the 67th minute, spinning around a defender near midfield and passing the ball forward to Kwadwo Poku. Poku drove to the box and outmuscled Serando Carrasco before passing the ball to his Villa to his left. The forward cut inside to beat Aurelien Collin and proceeded to fire it to the far post as goalie Tally Hall was left rooted to the ground.

Villa has 12 goals this season and has scored six in the last four matches.

It was a lead the Club wouldn't relinquish.

New York City FC added to their tally in similar fashion, but it was McNamara who found the back of the net this time. Pirlo again made a move in the midfield and found Poku. The Ghanaian darted forward and slid the ball to his left. McNamara, who had a ton of space, ran into the box and smashed home a left-footed effort to make it 4-2.

Orlando City SC made things interesting as Larin scored in the 85th minute off a pass from Kaka, cutting the home side's lead to 4-3.

New York City FC sealed all three points on a lovely counter in stoppage time.

Orlando City SC threw men forward striving for the equalizer, but New York City FC broke off with a speedy counter as Villa, Poku and Mix teamed up with the American, who just returned from the 2015 Gold Cup, firing it home from close range.

New York City FC return to action on August 1 against Montreal. Kickoff is 2 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium (YES Network, WFAN).

Notes:

- New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo made his MLS debut this afternoon, entering the match in the 57th minute of today's match.

- Defender Jefferson Mena made his MLS debut in the 14th minute.

- Midfielder Kwadwo Poku had 3 assists in today's match; he now leads the Club with 5 this season.

- Captain David Villa recorded his 4th brace in his last 6 matches and now has a team-leading 12 goals this year.

POST GAME QUOTES:

New York City FC Head Coach Jason Kreis

On first impression of Andrea Pirlo...

"He's a special, special player. The guy sees passes that most of us don't. He can really open up the game. What I really saw was a team opening up because they believed he could find them. He made a big difference. It was his first game after training with the team for four days so we can hope for even better going forward."

On the pieces coming together offensively...

"I'm really excited about what we're seeing from the attacking end of the field. We have had so many dynamic moments we're seeing around the goal creating scoring chances. That excites me. "

On the team looking like a playoff team...

"At the end of the day, we don't want to be just a playoff contention team, we want to be a MLS Cup contention team. "

New York City FC midfielder Thomas McNamara

On the additions to the midfield...

"There's always pressure, it's really just part of the job. We want competition because that's what brings the best out of players and it's going to bring the best out of our team. I'm really embracing it and I'm happy that all of these guys have been coming; it's only going to make the team and myself better."

On Andrea Pirlo's debut...

"You could really see his range of passing and it opens up the field. When he gets on the ball you just know that he's going to keep it. He's always going to be able to make the forward pass so it allows our team to get into different spaces and still expect to receive the ball. It really opens it all up for us."

New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo

On his MLS debut...

"It was very emotional for me when I got onto the pitch. The heat didn't play a factor and of course since we won, it felt even better."

On the fans...

"It was great because I could tell that they wanted me to play. When I got on the pitch, it was absolutely amazing to hear all of the applause. It was very emotional to hear and I really did appreciate it."

On international players coming to MLS...

"I would recommend for anyone to come here, it is a fantastic experience to be a part of."

On the differences he has noticed...

"It is a new thing for me to see so many people in the locker room and to be on the pitch and hear all of the music. It is different but I will definitely get used to it very quickly."

On his performance...

"I hope that I will continue to improve my game. I have only been training for three days at this point so I also need to feel more comfortable with my teammates and I am sure we will play well together."

New York City midfielder Mix Diskerud

On his first impression of Andrea Pirlo...

"He has a really great calmness around him and you see it when he's on the ball, as well. He really knows how to move the ball and he really sees everything."

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Images from this story

Andrea Pirlo and David Villa of New York City FC
Andrea Pirlo and David Villa of New York City FC
(New York City FC)		 New York City FC Celebrates Goal
New York City FC Celebrates Goal
(New York City FC)		 New York City FC Celebrates Goal
New York City FC Celebrates Goal
(New York City FC)
Andrea Pirlo of New York City FC
Andrea Pirlo of New York City FC
(New York City FC)		   



Major League Soccer Stories from July 26, 2015


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