New York City FC 2, Real Salt Lake 3 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Caitlin Murray

New York City FC could not hold onto a lead at home yet again, as they fell 3-2 to Real Salt Lake at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

Things started brightly for New York City FC -- David Villa had chance after chance as the home side appeared ready to dominate Real Salt Lake at any moment. They couldn't break through until the second half, with 19-year-old Jack Harrison scoring his first-ever professional goal for NYCFC.
It was a short-lived celebration though. Three minutes later, RSL's Yura Movsisyan did well to muscle off his defend and cut for the opening to fire past goalkeeper Josh Saunders. But it was Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martinez's strike in the 67th minute that will make the highlight reels as he calmly chested down the ball and fired a rocket to double the lead. An own goal added another for RSL.
A questionable penalty kick call in the 88th minute that let Villa pull one back would have been a bigger talking point if not for RSL's insurmountable lead that made NYC's second goal too little, too late.

Box Score

56' - NYC - Jack Harrison (David Villa)
59' - RSL - Yura Movsisyan (Sunny)
67' - RSL - Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martinez
74' - Frederic Brillant (OG)
87' - David Villa (PK)
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Three Things

WASTEFUL NYC: Creating chances is all well and good -- unless you cannot capitalize. Villa was a menace in front of goal, leading wave after wave at RSL's goal, but with at least three very good chances sent wide and zero goals in 10 shots, it's all for naught. Mix Diskerud had a point-blank range attempt over the bar just moments before an own goal seemingly put the match out of reach for NYCFC.
NO HOME COOKING: For many teams in the long MLS season, they build their season-long strategy around trying to pick up all the points they can at home, and then hope to grind out some results on the road, too. But NYC has won just once in nine home games this season. Much has been made of the smaller-sized pitch at Yankee Stadium, but NYC created all the chances they needed to win and a second-half meltdown that allowed RSL to score twice in eight minutes made them pay for it.
ONE FOR THE ROAD: It's been a grueling five-game stretch for Real Salt Lake on the road, and to cap it off with a hard-fought win should be a good confidence boost for RSL. The win was their third time coming back from a deficit this season. With a break ahead for Copa America and the US Open Cup looming, RSL will look to build on what was a big statement win in NYC.