Lampard snared first MLS goal in New York City win

Lampard scored in the 20th minute after settling RJ Allen’s back-pass with his chest and rolling in a goal through traffic.

The deadlock was broken by Frank Lampard, who at last opened his account in the MLS after five games for his new team. He signed with NYCFC last July and played in the MLS off-season for Manchester City, which like NYCFC is controlled by City Football Group. It was Lampard’s fifth game for NYC FC. “If we can win pretty much every game, we’ll see where we stand. It’s sort of out of our hands”. We limited their chances and created some chances of our own.

Lampard had struggled to live up to the hype prior to kick-off at Yankees Stadium, hampered by injury and failing to score a goal in four appearances for the expansion franchise. But Wednesday – after a flawless Pirlo ball over the top glanced off R.J. Allen – Lampard controlled it and sent a knuckling shot that beat goalkeper Chris Konopka, turning and pumping his fists to the Third Rail supporters.

“The fact that it’s cool in the evening, late in the evening, played a part because you can run much more when it’s cool”, he said through an interpreter. “You want to give back; I want to show people what I can do”. I had a tough start with injuries, but I’m getting fitter and hopefully more to come.

After Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley somehow missed a gift from six yards out, New York secured the three points when striker Patrick Mullins headed home a corner in the 77th minute.

Added NYCFC coach Jason Kreis: “Andrea is a natural-born competitor who doesn’t take to losing well, and I think that he’s been in many situations like this before that require a massive effort”.

Josh Saunders had a diving save of Sebastian Giovinco’s deflected free kick in the 62nd minute and he punched Bradley’s shot from distance over the crossbar in the 70th. “Of course, at this point, we have to win them all in order to become part of the playoffs”.