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In the Nick of Time (NYCFC-New England Revolution Recap, 08.20.17)

Robert Cole/ALOST
NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (green) was made to pay for one of his rare errors this season, as Teal Bunbury scored on a rebound just seconds after this shot to draw first blood in the game on Sunday. (Robert Cole/ALOST)
NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (green) was made to pay for one of his rare errors this season, as Teal Bunbury scored on a rebound just seconds after this shot to draw first blood for the Revs on Sunday. (Robert Cole/ALOST)

 

akoiki-passport2 – by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief

 

NEW YORK — Every legitimate excuse for a letdown was there for the taking New York City Football Club on Sunday, and, for more than 80 percent of the contest, a rare loss seemed imminent against a bitter Northeast rival.

The captain of the team would have none of it, however. David Villa scored in the 77th minute to tie the game and Jonathan Lewis’ 94th-minute winner lifted New York to a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution, the team’s third consecutive win. It heads into its latest Hudson River Derby game against the New York Red Bulls this Friday with even more momentum, though it almost was short-circuited before they got a chance to cross the Hudson River.

Barely creating any chances in the first half, New York gifted a goal to New England in the 57th minute,
as Revolution striker Teal Bunbury pounced on a catching mistake by NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson,
as the former pounced on the loose ball and knocked in the opening goal.

Twenty minutes later, Villa scored his 11th goal in 10 games to level. Not only was it his 19th goal of the season, it now marks 60 career goals for Villa in NYCFC colors since moving to the States. He then turned provider in stoppage time as he trapped a long ball into the penalty area from R.J. Allen to then set up defender Ben Sweat, who unleashed a one-timer at the top of the box. Fortunately, Sweat’s attempt deflected into the path of Lewis, who was making a run to the far post. Lewis buried home the winner for his second goal in as many weeks, as well as his second career professional goal.

New England was thwarted in trying to pick up its first road win of 2017, while New York is now solidly in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, five points clear of the fourth-place Chicago Fire.

*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from tonight’s game, with all photos taken by our senior photographer, Robert Cole. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 22 pictures in total.

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