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NYCFC finally take down the Red Bulls

By Jake Fitzgerald-Marcin

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: New York City FC players celebrate after a goal during the match vs Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium on June 18, 2016 in New York City. New York City FC defeats Philadelphia Union 3-2. (Photo by Michael Stewart/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 18: New York City FC players celebrate after a goal during the match vs Philadelphia Union at Yankee Stadium on June 18, 2016 in New York City. New York City FC defeats Philadelphia Union 3-2. (Photo by Michael Stewart/Getty Images) /
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After four unsuccessful attempts, NYCFC finally claim a victory in the Hudson River Derby with a 2-0 victory vs. New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium on July 3rd

New York City is finally blue.

After losing their first four games vs. Red Bulls, including an embarrassing 7-0 loss at home in May, NYCFC have claimed control over the city with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

Rookie Jack Harrison has continued to prove why he was the number one pick in MLS’s super draft as he was part of both goals for NYCFC, scoring in the 8th minute and assisting captain David Villa in the 66th minute. His goal came off a Pirlo corner that he collected outside the 18 yard box. Harrison then made a nice dribble move past 2 Red Bull defenders and beat Luis Robles near post to give the boys in blue the lead.

His 66th minute assist came after Lampard sprung the counterattack with a great ball to him on the wing. The 19-year-old was then able to bring the ball all the way up the side of the field and play in a perfect ball so David Villa could just tap in the second goal.

Related Story: NYCFC: Turning the Page

Past Harrison, NYCFC played a very complete game, both offensively and defensively. They were able to keep their second consecutive clean sheet after they beat the Sounders 2-0 in Seattle last weekend. The back line played extremely well together, even with a couple of changes. Mattarita didn’t start the game after picking up a minor injury during training this week so they had a back for left-to-right of Allen-Mena-Brillant-Heranadez. Saunders also had a good game in goal, coming up with a couple saves the few times the Red Bulls broke down the defense.

Lampard of NYCFC
(Photo by Michael Stewart/Getty Images) /

This win is huge for NYCFC not only because it finally gives them a win in this rivalry, but it also lands them atop the Eastern Conference. After Philadelphia lost on Saturday to Houston Dynamo on a second half stoppage time free kick goal, these three points for NYCFC push them to 27, one more than the Union. Though the season is only half over, first place is a much different feeling for the MLS’s newest team.

The win also can work to clam some chatter about NYCFC’s spotty home record as they were able to play their building out of the back style very successfully today. There are some who believe they cannot be a playoff team because of the amount of points they have dropped at home already, but as the MLS’s most successful team away from home, this win may be them turning the page at Yankee Stadium.

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The manager, Patrick Vieira, has been criticized because he has his team playing the possession style on the small field at Yankee Stadium, but it seems they are finally figuring out how to play it successfully. If they can play like this at home for the rest of the season, it would be hard to see them missing the playoffs. They were able to break down the Red Bulls defense with quick short passes and missed multiple opportunities to make this game a blowout.

Unfortunately, NYCFC will be away for 4 straight games now so we won’t be able to find out if this game was an outlier for them or if they have found the formula for winning at home. Fans will be happy for the road trip, though, as it gives them an opportunity to add on to their MLS leading 4 away wins. One thing is for sure, though, NYC is blue tonight.

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