NEW YORK – All the ingredients for a home win were there for New York City FC.
The team dominated possession, especially in the second half, and had more scoring chances than the opposition.
All that was missing was the elusive goal for that elusive first home win as NYCFC settled for a 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium Sunday night.
And because of the lopsided stat line, NYCFC captain David Villa leaves with a different taste in his mouth than a 1-1 draw against New England in the club’s last match two weeks ago.
“The most important for us is to create the chances,” he said. “New England, we were unhappy for not creating chances, not playing good. Today and the other days we created more chances than the other team. Of course, we need to improve in this situation and have better luck in the next game.”
Of NYCFC’s eight shots on target, Villa had five of them. But each time, Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson came up with a big save.
“We are frustrated only for the result of the game,” Villa said. “The team played very good, created a lot of chances. The man of the match was the 'keeper of Chicago.”
While NYCFC'ss home winless streak has extended to four games, coach Patrick Vieira is frustrated, yet optimistic, especially after his side dominated the scoring chances Sunday night.
“Frustrated because we didn’t take the three points, but at the same time still really positive the way we played, the number of chances we create,” he said. “It’s just a question of time winning the first home game.”
Another positive for NYCFC is that they registered their first clean sheet of the season, while goalkeeper Josh Saunders didn’t have to make a single save.
“I think it’s always good not to concede a goal,” Vieira said. “It just shows we are getting better and better. As a team we are defending much better.”
It wasn’t all roses for Vieira, though, who benched Khiry Shelton and Mikey Lopez for what he called “disrespectful” comments on social media about the Fire.
“This is not the message I want from the players because I want this football club, this team, to be humble and work hard and try to perform and win games and not spend too much time on social media sending negative messages that don’t reflect the football club,” Vieira said. “It’s important for me to send the message.”
