Columbus Crew SC 3, New York City FC 3 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Dylan Butler

Ethan Finlay struck from the edge of the 6-yard box after a blocked shot to level deep into second-half stoppage time as the Columbus Crew SC and New York City FC played to a wild 3-3 draw at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus on Saturday night.

Finlay scored from the penalty spot after Frederic Brillant was ruled to have taken him down in the box in the 80th minute, but David Villa struck for his 14th goal of the season just three minutes later to level for the visitors.

Villa then scored from the penalty spot after Harrison Afful handled the ball in the box to put NYCFC (10-7-8) in front, 3-2, in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

Crew SC (3-8-11) dominated possession early, but it was NYCFC who took the lead late in the first half on Frank Lampard’s ninth goal in 10 games. The veteran midfielder, who was named the Ethiad Airways MLS Player of the Month for July, followed an Andrea Pirlo free kick that Steve Clark parried off the post and tapped in from the edge of the six-yard box to put NYCFC in front, 1-0, in the 41st minute.

Box Score

41’ – NYC – Frank Lampard
49’ – CLB – Justin Meram (Waylon Francis, Will Trapp)
80’ – CLB – Ethan Finlay (PK)
83’ – NYC – David Villa (Andrea Pirlo)
90'+2’ – NYC – David Villa (PK)
90'+5’ – CLB – Ethan Finlay
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Three Things

A LONG TIME COMING: The key to Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram breaking long scoring droughts? It's the opponent, clearly. Finlay and Meram each found the back of the net for the first time since April 16, which was a 3-2 win over NYCFC at MAPFRE Stadium.
TYING A RECORD: Crew SC recorded their sixth consecutive home draw, tying an inauspicious MLS record, while stretching their winless streak to 10 games.
CAN'T BEAT CREW SC: While its been a difficult season in Columbus, Crew SC always seem to play some of their best soccer against NYCFC. They are now 2-0-2 all-time against NYCFC, picking up a 3-2 win at MAPFRE in April after playing to a 2-2 draw last Aug. 19 and winning at Yankee Stadium 10 days later.