As manager Patrick Vieira and captain David Villa said in an address to their fans at the end of the today’s game, the job isn’t done for New York City Football Club – but what a job they’ve already done during its second season in existence.
Capping off one of the biggest turnarounds this season, NYCFC clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming MLS Playoffs with a 4-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC in the regular-season finale at Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening. Needing a win to secure that bye, NYCFC, who increased its point total by 17 points from its inaugural season of 2015, was faced with the daunting prospect of losing out on finishing in the top two of the Eastern Conference – and losing the first-round bye that goes with it – when Columbus’s Ola Kamara scored on a header in the 59th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Unlike last season, NYCFC responded to adversity the way like a champion, as Jack Harrison and substitute Khiry Shelton scored within two minutes of each other to put the Big Apple squad back in command. In stoppage time, Villa scored a spectacular long-range goal to put a bow on the proceedings. NYCFC finished the regular season campaign in second place in the Eastern Conference with 54 points, and will play next on Sunday Oct. 30 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The second leg will take place on Nov. 6 at Yankee Stadium.
There are 30 photos in this gallery, and, after clicking on one to enlarge, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures.
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Grazing in the Grass
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Hector Jimenez runs towards the NYCFC goal during a game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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High Flyers
NYCFC defender Maxime Chanot wins the header on a leap with Columbus Crew midfielder Cristian Martinez during a game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Time to Go
NYCFC midfielder Jack Harrison looks to use his pace to wreak havoc in the Columbus Crew SC defense during a game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Watch Out
NYCFC midfielder Ronald Matarrita sends a ball forward, past the outstretched leg of Columbus Crew SC midfielder Cristian Martinez, during a game at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Heady Stuff
Columbus Crew midfielder Hector Jimenez heads the ball in front of NYCFC attacker David Villa during a match at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Put it in Park
Columbus Crew SC defender Michael Parkhurst plays the ball in his own half during the first half of his team's game vs. NYCFC at Yankee Stadium of Oct 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Star Watch
NYCFC forward David Villa gets ready to control the ball during his team's game vs. Columbus Crew SC at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Standing Tall
NYCFC attacker Khiry Shelton holds off Columbus Crew SC defender Corey Ashe to possess the ball during the second half of NYCFC's 4-1 at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Split Decision
NYCFC midfielder R.J. Allen plays the ball through Columbus Crew SC players Tony Tchiani (far left) and Wil Trapp during a game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Side by Side
NYCFC forward Khiry Shelton battles for the ball with Columbus Crew SC defender Corey Ashe during the second half at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Jumping Jack
NYCFC midfielder Jack Harrison celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in the 75th minute during his team's game vs. Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 23, 2016 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Jack Flash
NYCFC midfielder Jack Harrison attacks towards the Columbus Crew SC half during a game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Great Brit
NYCFC midfielder Jack Harrison plays the ball during his team's game vs. Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 23, 2016 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Planning a Getaway
NYCFC forward David Villa tries to shake free from the center of the Columbus Crew SC defense, Nicolai Naess (rear) and Michael Parkhurst, during the game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Running Free
NYCFC defender Andoni Iraola finds himself in space as he works the ball forward during his team's game vs. Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 23, 2016 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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That's Brillant!
NYCFC defender Frederic Brillant controls the ball during his team's game with Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 23, 2016 at Yankee Stadium.(Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Jump Around
Columbus Crew SC forward Conor Casey leaps for a ball in the air alongside NYCFC defender Andoni Iraola during a game at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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That's Using Your Head
NYCFC forward David Villa heads the ball during the second half of NYCFC's 4-1 win over Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 23, 2016 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Trapped
Columbus Crew midfielder Wil Trapp protects the ball from NYCFC midfielder Ronald Matarrita during action at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Head of State
NYCFC forward David Villa prepares to head the ball in front of Columbus Crew SC defender Michael Parkhurst in the second half of NYCFC's 4-1 win on Oct. 23, 2016 at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Tug-of-War
NYCFC midfielder R.J. Allen (far right) grabs at the jersey of Columbus Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchiani while midfielder Federico Bravo (far left) also looks on. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Gooooooool!
NYCFC forward and team captain David Villa celebrates his second-half stoppage time goal to cap the scoring at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. NYCFC won the game against Columbus Crew SC, 4-1. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Piggyback Ride
NYCFC midfielder Jack Harrison tries to win the ball from a leaping Cristian Martinez of Columbus Crew SC during the game at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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On the Move
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Federico Higuain controls the ball in the NYCFC half during the first half at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Forward Thinking
Columbus Crew SC forward Ola Kamara attacks the NYCFC defense at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Get Out of Here
NYCFC defender Maxime Chanot (far left) is confronted by Columbus Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchiani after Chanot fouled Cristian Martinez, seen lying on the ground. NYCFC won the game, 4-1. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Stretch Those Legs
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Federico Higuain controls the ball during a game against NYCFC at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Playing for Pride
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Justin Meram controls the ball in front of NYCFC midfielder Jack Harrison at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Pass-Go
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchiani executes a cross in front of NYCFC forward Steven Mendoza at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016.(Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Mendoza Line
NYCFC forward Steven Mendoza splits through the defense of Columbus Crew SC players Michael Parkhurst (rear) and Cristian Martinez at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016. (Photo by Robert Cole)
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[Cover photo (David Villa) courtesy of Robert Cole]
