NEW YORK (SMI-WIRE,10.23.16)The NYC F.C. defeats the Columbus Crew 4-1,securing the second seed & play-off bye in the first round MLS post-season play with 30,374 fans, who gathered during the last game of the season @ Legendary Yankees's Stadium in NYC.

With the victory, NYC F.C. finished the season with overall record of (15-10-9) and making the play-off for the first time in club history." We give all the credit to the players and the staff because we worked very hard to be where we are right now in the play-off " said coach Patrick Vieira at post-game press conference.

Steve Mendoza opened the score when he received a cross center ball inside the 18' by David Villa, tapping the ball for the 1-0 lead at the 44:42' at the half.Jack Harrison & Khiry Shelton increased the lead to make it 3-1, scoring within two minutes apart at 75th & 77th minutes to put the game away.Harrison scored out of the deflection inside the box to make it 2-1 and Shelton scored outside the 18' with hard long shot to give NYC F.C. at 3-1 lead.

Finally, David Villa sealed the victory with his 23rd goal of the season at the end of the game and finishing the season second with one goal behind Bradley Wright-Phillips in the MLS top scorers standings."David is happy to be here, loves the city, great captain and good example. He has a good etiquette & professionalism even when he is not playing  and I'm glad he is part of our team" said coach Vieira about David Villa and his contribution in the success of the team this year.

With the two New York teams making the play-off " The New York Red Bulls top seed

and NYC F.C. the second seed will play the winners of two midweek knockout-round games -Toronto F.C. against Philadelphia on Wednesday, and D.C. United against Montreal on Thursday in the Eastern semifinals, with the Red Bulls playing the lowest seed remaining, and New York City F.C. playing the other.The winners from the knockout round will host the first game of the conference semifinals on Sunday, with the second legs scheduled for Red Bull Arena and Yankee Stadium on Nov. 6.

 

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