NYCFC goes to KC comes back with a shutout victory

By Sean McCaffery, March 6, 2018

Sporting KC had almost 21,000 of their faithful go home unhappy as they dropped a 2-0 decision to the boys in blue. All 4 cards including a red to Chanot in the 88 minute mark went to NYCFC. This was the first opening loss for SKC since 2009 quite a run and in front of a sold out Children's Mercy Park, this one just their 3rd ever loss in a home opener. With 3 newcomers in for HC Vermes, Felipe Gutierrez, Yohan Croizet & Johnny Russell all from abroad as Roger Espinoza played in his 200th game for the club. Early on Alex RIng let go with a blast in the 17th minuted but Long Island native, Tim Melia went left fullly extened to nudge it wide. Soon thereafter, a Zusi corner went off the head of Espinoza and wide. At 30 minutes 2 newcomers gave it a go as Gutierrez sent a great ball to Croizet but the first time volley was a yard wide of the left post. Just 2 minutes later, David Villa MLS top points getter over the last 3 years found Maxi Moralez for a close up goal. For only the 2nd time since the start of last seaons the visitors scored a 2nd goal was in the 53rd minute as Herrera played it wide left to Sweat he then sent it to Medina who made no mistake and found the right corner from near the penalty mark. A Villa breakaway was thwarted by last years GK of the Year, Mellia in the 70th minute. Just 2 minutes prior sub Salloi forced Johnson to stop a hard shot between players. Man in the middle, Geiger overturned his own call of a pk as Salloi hit the ground at 80 minutes , barely 5 minutes later, Chanot dragged down Fernnades just outside the penalty area, Geiger allowed the play to continue but VAR showed it to be a red card offense and he was sent off. The direct kick taken by Gutierrez was tipped by Johnson off the bar and out of danger. Later in the game Russell spun hitting a shot from a ball sent from Zusi but it was blocked by Ibeagha. NYCFC HC Patrick Viera was overall pleased with his teams day at the park. Thinking his attack did well to get 2 goals, he was rather proud of them, not all was perfect he he hopes to improve upon this first game. 

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