Facts After the Match: HOUvNYC
(Header photo from mlssoccer.com)
FT: #NYCFC 2-0 @HoustonDynamo
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) October 1, 2016
A @Guaje7Villa brace gives #NYCFC three huge road points pic.twitter.com/pixDPMTjYo
Yes, after clinching a playoff spot, NYCFC keeps their game up with a big win away! Let's talk about it. Here are some facts after the match in BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
1. Let's start with the tables. NYCFC is the first club in the East to crack 50 league points, standing on top with 51. NYCFC is one of two clubs in the league to have 50+ points (FC Dallas is the other, at 53).
2. The goal differential improves to +4. (Side note: Montreal is the only club above the red line in either conference to have a negative goal differential, -2) NYC's league best goals-for count improves to 57.
3. This is NYCFC's seventh road win, the most in the league. NYCFC also has the most road points in the league (24). I think we have our "Road Warriors" title back...
4. Top three players on whoscored.com: Villa (8.8), Pirlo (7.8), and McNamara, Iraola, and Allen all tied for third (7.5).
5. Saunders recorded his eighth clean sheet this season. This one was probably the easiest one, since all 11 shots Houston took, none were on target.
6. inonit.com currently reports a 100% chance of a top four finish, also reported on NYCFC Nation's Twitter:
Final: NYCFC 2 - 0 Houston
— NYCFC Nation (@NYCFCNation) October 1, 2016
NYCFC retake the top of the east and secure a home playoff match with the win in Texas.
It breaks it down as a 72.95% chance in the top two, and a 27.05% chance of finishing third or fourth to host a knockout match. The website also reports an 80.08% chance to be in Champions League, and a 11.89% chance to win MLS Cup. Note: These stats can change as the weekend progresses, so keep an eye on that link.
7. (<-- OH, YES! Half by chance, half on purpose...) On to the man of the hour:
Back to back braces (fifth and sixth of the year) puts him back on top of the Golden Boot Race with 21 goals. Blackjack! He even got Men in Blazers talking a bit serious about him, which is a bit out of character from them:
David Villa has been prolific in front of goal but his will to win has been just as significant in powering this @NYCFC transformation
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) October 1, 2016
In fact, he's got a lot of people talking:
FT: Top of the East, for now. A Villa brace powers @NYCFC to a big road win: https://t.co/PLOuPji7wF pic.twitter.com/phAfTtstrN
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 1, 2016
FULL-TIME: David Villa scored twice to lead @NYCFC to a 2-0 win against @HoustonDynamo in Friday night @MLS action.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 1, 2016
.@Guaje7Villa's brace pushes @NYCFC back atop Eastern Conference | #HOUvNYC #MLS https://t.co/tUYjL5y6o8
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 1, 2016
Gana el @NYCFC 2 a 0 con doblete de @Guaje7Villa y asistencia de @TTaylor777 #FullMLS #SomosLaSele pic.twitter.com/1TBKTIVdfx
— TVMAX Deporte (@tvmaxdeporte) October 1, 2016
#NYCFC regains lead in East and @Guaje7Villa bags goals 20 and 21 on the year. Currently leads #MLS Golden Boot race. #HOUvNYC https://t.co/wtrLwCj5tH
— Matt Reed (@MattReedFutbol) October 1, 2016
8. Tony Taylor and Federico Bravo, who came on as substitutes, record their first assists of the season. Jack Harrison gets his sixth assist, Pirlo his eleventh.
9. This was precious:
D'aww. #HOUvNYC pic.twitter.com/hmeNlaThwh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 1, 2016
Just too cute...respect.
If you have any more, post in the comments below!
"He's one of our own! He's one of our ooooooown! David Villa, he's one of our own!"
