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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson rolls the ball back into play during the first half of a Major League Soccer game against New England at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Kei Kamara (23) jumps in front of NYCFC midfielder Mikey Lopez to win a header during the first half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Juan Agudelo (17) jumps in the air to try and win a header from NYCFC midfielder Mikey Lopez during the first half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England goalkeeper Cody Cropper claims possession of the ball during the first half of a Major League Soccer game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Teal Bunbury (r.) has his shot attempt blocked by NYCFC defender Ben Sweat during the first half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England defender Benjamin Angoua (r.) reacts after receiving a yellow card during the second half of a Major League Soccer game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson (green) loses possession of the ball in front of New England forward Teal Bunbury during the second half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. Bunbury would score seconds later. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England defender Antonio Mlinar Delamea (left, on ground) makes a sliding challenge on NYCFC forward Rodney Wallace during the second half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England defender Antonio Mlinar Delamea plays a ball long during the second half in a Major League Soccer game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC forward David Villa (r.) pursues the ball while being shadowed by New England defender Antonio Mlinar Delamea during the second half in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England goalkeeper Cody Cropper gets set to kick the ball long during the second half of a Major League Soccer game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC defender Alexander Callens possesses the ball during the second half against the New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC forward David Villa (second from right) tries to direct a shot on goal through traffic during the second half against the New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Teal Bunbury (r.) and NYCFC defender Ben Sweat vie for possession of the ball during the second half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Teal Bunbury (r.) plays the ball in front of NYCFC defender Ben Sweat during the second half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC forward David Villa urges the crowd on as he celebrates scoring the game-tying goal during the second half against the New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC forward David Villa celebrates scoring the tying goal during the second half against the New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Teal Bunbury (10, on ground) gets treated for a cramp and is helped by teammate Gershon Koffie during the second half of a Major League Soccer game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC forward David Villa has possession of the ball during the second half against the New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England forward Teal Bunbury (10) jumps in front of NYCFC midfielder Yangel Herrera to win a header during the second half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
New England defender Andrew Farrell (r.) shields NYCFC forward Jonathan Lewis away from the ball during the second half of a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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MLS: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution (08.22.17)
NYCFC forward David Villa celebrates after his team won 2-1 over the New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Aug. 20, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)
– 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.