COLUMBUS, OhioāAfter 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 Columbusā 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.
āIt was difficult for the referees because he had to make some really tough decisions, but I think we have to analyze the game,ā Vieira said. āWe had some (calls) go for us, some went against us. But of course youāre frustrated, Iām frustrated, because ā¦ itās difficult to concede the goal at the end.ā
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 teamās Eastern Conference-best 38 points.
āTo play against a good team like that and to be on the road and take a point and come home with a point, itās going to serve us well at the end of the season,ā he said. āItās something we can hang our hat on a little bit.ā
Vieira said the performance mixed grit with tactical acumen, which has been how the team has picked up so many points on the road.
āPlaying away from home, we have to show that we are well-organized but we have to show some character as well, some personality,ā he said. āWe did it again tonight, and we just have to manage to improve our home record.ā
And ultimately, Vieira said he was pleased with his teamās performance in a match that āhad everythingā against a Columbus team that he says is better than their 19th-place record.
āIt was, I think, the type of game that everybody enjoyed,ā he said. āI enjoyed it on the field because it was difficult for both teams. Both teams, at times, played well. It was dramaā¦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.ā