COLUMBUS, Ohio—After a dramatic 3-3 draw in Columbus, New York City FC are happy to be heading back home with a point.
The club thought they had three points in the bag after a stoppage-time penalty kick by David Villa. But an even-later equalizer from Columbus’ Ethan Finlay sent the teams into the locker room with a point apiece, and coach Patrick Vieira into an argument with referee Sorin Stoica that saw the New York boss ejected.
Vieira had cooled significantly by the time he gave his post-match press conference, and had no interest in disparaging Stoica.
“It was difficult for the referees because he had to make some really tough decisions, but I think we have to analyze the game,” Vieira said. “We had some (calls) go for us, some went against us. But of course you’re frustrated, I’m frustrated, because … it’s difficult to concede the goal at the end.”
The draw gave NYCFC yet another road point in their historic season away from home. With a league-best 6-4-3 record away from Yankee Stadium, midfielder Tommy McNamara said the crucial road points are a key to the team’s Eastern Conference-best 38 points.
“To play against a good team like that and to be on the road and take a point and come home with a point, it’s going to serve us well at the end of the season,” he said. “It’s something we can hang our hat on a little bit.”
Vieira said the performance mixed grit with tactical acumen, which has been how the team has picked up so many points on the road.
“Playing away from home, we have to show that we are well-organized but we have to show some character as well, some personality,” he said. “We did it again tonight, and we just have to manage to improve our home record.”
And ultimately, Vieira said he was pleased with his team’s performance in a match that “had everything” against a Columbus team that he says is better than their 19th-place record.
“It was, I think, the type of game that everybody enjoyed,” he said. “I enjoyed it on the field because it was difficult for both teams. Both teams, at times, played well. It was drama…and I hope the fans enjoyed it. It was a really good game of football with goals, teams leading, teams coming back, changes of tactics. I think it was the type of game that MLS needs.”
