NEW YORK – It’s been a month and a half since Ronald Matarrita has been in the New York City FC starting lineup, and on Saturday afternoon the Costa Rican international made up for lost time.
Back healthy from an ankle injury that sidelined him for four matches, Matarrita was influential in a massive 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy at Yankee Stadium.
“Today was a very special game for me,” Matarrita said. “I was very excited to be able to come back after being out for a month and a half; it’s not easy for any player to be off the field. I was very excited and I was able to help the team today. That was a big thing for me.”
With Matarrita’s return in mind, NYCFC worked on attacking Los Angeles on his side of the field in training during the week. That was evident in the sixth minute, when the left back played a major role in the game’s lone goal.
Jack Harrison found an open Matarrita, who took his first touch inside the 18-yard box as LA Galaxy goalkeeper Clement Diop came aggressively off his line. Matarrita shot with his second touch, and his attempt deflected off Diop’s foot and toward the goal, where David Villa knocked into the net on a volley from in front of the goal.
“David always knows where to be at the right time; he’s always in the right spot,” Matarrita said. “We’ve been working a lot attacking on my side of the field and I try to help as much as much as possible, especially on my side. It was a great play and I was able to finish it.”
Matarrita’s bombing runs down the left forced LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena to make an early tactical adjustment and switch Giovani Dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes, who provided more defensive cover.
Matarrita, who was pushed up the field in the 72nd minute when RJ Allen replaced Tommy McNamara, had a season-high four shot attempts, two of which were on frame. He was also part of an NYCFC defense that registered a seventh clean sheet of the season.
“Mata is a very important player for this group because he plays with a lot of energy, a lot of athleticism, he has technical qualities, can deliver a great ball, has a great engine,” said NYCFC assistant coach Christian Lattanzio, who filled in for a suspended Patrick Vieira. “You could see he gave everything.”
