NYCFC – 1
Montreal Impact – 1
Match recap …
RJ Allen scored his first professional goal, but Dominic Oduro equalized late for the visitors as New York City FC and the Montreal Impact played to a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of 23,252 Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.
Allen broke the scoreless stalemate in the 51st minute. Allen started the sequence with a pass to Khiry Shelton, who sent a low cross to the top of the six-yard box to Tommy McNamara. Allen continued his run and received a clever tap back from McNamara before scoring inside the far post from seven yards out.
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David Villa nearly added an insurance goal one minute from full time when he lined up to take a free kick from 20 yards, but it deflected off the Impact’s wall.
In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Oduro equalized, latching onto a Didier Drogba free kick with a diving header at the near post.
Villa had three opportunities to add to NYCFC’s lead on the hour mark, but twice Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush parried shots away before the captain’s lob landed on the top netting.
PHOTOS: New York City FC vs. Montreal Impact
Three minutes into the second half, NYCFC had its first quality scoring chance when Josh Saunders quickly distributed to Villa, who lofted a ball ahead to Tommy McNamara on the right. McNamara took three touches into the box and put a shot on frame that Evan Bush parried away for a corner kick.
Villa provided the best moment of the scoreless first half with a barging run up field, fighting through three tackles before winning a late corner.
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How they lined up …
Patrick Vieira tweaked his preferred 4-3-3 and made three changes from the side that lost to the Philadelphia Union, 2-0, Saturday afternoon at Talen Energy Stadium.
Allen, who came off the substitute’s bench for his first appearance of the season Saturday, started at right back in a four-man backline. Andrea Pirlo moved up from his usual deep-lying position in the midfield to the left of the three-man midfield alongside Mikey Lopez, who made his second consecutive start. McNamara also moved up the field, starting on the left of a three-man forward line.
Steven Mendoza replaced Shelton in the 61st minute, while Ethan White came on for an injured Allen seven minutes later. Vieira called on Mix Diskerud for his last change as Pirlo came off in the 77th minute.
Key moment …
Allen continued his run when he found Shelton, who ran at the Montreal defense and sent a low cross in front that McNamara laid off for Allen, who provided NYCFC’s lone goal.
Quote of the Match...
Man of the Match …
RJ Allen
Making his second appearance of the season, and first start, Allen not only played well defensively, but also scored his only professional goal in the 51st minute on a sequence he started with a pass to Khiry Shelton.
Stats and milestones …
RJ Allen made his first start of the season and scored his first professional goal. Last year he had two assists. NYCFC is now 2-1-1 all-time against the Montreal Impact.
What it means …
NYCFC moved one point ahead of the New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire with seven points from its first eight matches. Next up, NYCFC will host the Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday at 4 p.m.
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