NYCFC Tie Chicago at Home

IMAGE, TWITTER.COM/NYCFC

New York City FC dominated in shots and possession, but was unable to get the elusive goal in an entertaining 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire in front of 22,930 at Yankee Stadium Sunday night.

David Villa was dangerous throughout, but couldn’t solve Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson. The captain had the two best scoring chances of the scoreless first half, but was twice denied by Lampson.

In the 29^th minute, Villa latched onto an attempted clearance of a Ronald Matarrita cross, took a touch into the box and fired on frame from 16 yards. But Lampson parried away with a dive to his left.

Nine minute later, Andrea Pirlo played a perfect corner kick to the back post where Lampson somehow saved Villa’s first-time bouncing volley from eight yards. Tommy McNamara put a bicycle kick rebound attempt over the crossbar.

In the 52^nd minute, Patrick Mullins created space for himself by evading a pair of Fire defenders, turned and fired a low shot from 20 yards that was just wide of the far post.

It appeared the visitors broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Jonathan Campbell headed in from the edge of the six, but assistant referee Corey Parker raised his flag and ruled the play offside.

A minute later Tommy McNamara made a rampaging run and slid a pass to Mix Diskerud, who took two touches into the box before Lampson saved his low shot from 17 yards.

Villa had two more golden chances a minute apart late in the second half, but his free kick from outside the left edge of the 18-yard box was pushed away by Lampson. The ‘keeper than came well off his line to push aside a second Villa shot after the Captain was played behind the Fire defense by Steven Mendoza.

After the game, coach Vieira commented on the defensive effort of his squad, “Yeah, I mean as a team we are definitely getting better and better…but it is till a frustration because it is our goal to win the game and its frustrating we didn’t get the three points but its all about a matter of time before we win the first home game and I’m not really worried about it and if play the play the way we’ve been playing.. and the support of the fans tonight .. it was fantastic and the win will come.”

NYCFC ties again at home and won’t play again until Saturday at home when the Columbus Crew comes to Yankee Stadium.