The definitive list of New York City FC’s top 10 goals from the 2016 season.
New York City Football Club’s second-ever season was as up-and-down as can be — explosive offense met putrid defense. The team’s first-ever postseason appearance was matched with a dreadful 7-0 aggregate loss to Toronto FC. Frank Lampard’s late season fireworks resulted in his ultimate departure from the club. Jack Harrison’s tremendous rookie season was an up, and a 7-0 thrashing at home by the New York Red Bulls was a pretty significant down.In this article, we’re going to look at the ups, and in particular, the goals. Here are our picks for the top ten goals scored by NYCFC this season. They are ranked by a mixture of class (how good the goals were) and importance (how significant the goals were).
Without further adieu, here they are, the top 10 goals of the 2016 season scored by NYCFC.
Honorable Mentions:
Mix Diskerud vs. Chicago Fire: March 6th, 2016
A brilliant lofted cross from Tommy McNamara found Diskerud at the backside of the 18 yard box, and the American midfielder thrashed a first time volley into the bottom corner.
Jack Harrison vs. New York Red Bulls: July 3rd, 2016
Young Englishman Jack Harrison used an exquisite touch to get separation from Red Bulls defender Mike Grella, before sneaking the ball into the bottom corner. This goal would have made the top ten if not for Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles, who really should have made the save. However, Harrison’s creativity is enough to warrant an honorable mention.
10. Andrea Pirlo vs Philadelphia Union
June 18, 2016 perfect free kick, first goal with the club
Andrea Pirlo has always been hailed as a free kick expert– his expertise in dead ball situations made him a legend in Europe. On June 18th, he showed why, scoring his first-ever MLS goal with a brilliant free kick against a rival team. This matchup against the Union marked the first time all three of NYCFC’s designated players (David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Pirlo) scored in the same game.
9. David Villa vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
April 30, 2016
NYCFC’s talisman showed off his “tekkers” with a stunning volley against the Whitecaps off an equally great corner from Andrea Pirlo to the back post. This goal is just the first of several goals that Villa boasts on this list.
8. Tommy McNamara vs Chicago Fire
March 6, 2016 — beautiful curled effort from outside the box, upper 90, first goal of the season
The first goal in Major League Soccer, by any team, was scored by Tommy McNamara, and WHAT a goal it was. McNamara’s brilliant curling effort found the upper 90 to give NYCFC the lead in a game they eventually won 4-3.
7. David Villa vs. Portland Timbers
May 15, 2016
This was more about the pass than the goal — fullback RJ Allen channeled his inner Andrea Pirlo with a perfectly weighted through ball to split the defense and find Villa, who tidily finished between two defenders. What might be more significant was that the goal came against the defending MLS champions, on the road.
6. Tommy McNamara vs Portland Timbers
May 15, 2016
Same game, different player — once again, however, a distance strike from Tommy McNamara steals the show. The midfielder showed off his technical ability with a perfectly curled strike into the upper 90, giving a hapless keeper no chance.
5. David Villa vs Crew
October 23, 2016
What a way to cap off the regular season. In stoppage time, the captain rifled the ball from the edge of the box into the roof of the net, giving NYCFC a 4-1 victory over the defending Eastern Conference champion Columbus Crew, and sealing home-field advantage for NYCFC in the second round of the playoffs. It was also the last goal scored all season by NYCFC, as Villa allowed the ball to bounce once before finishing the goal — and the season — with a bang.
4. David Villa vs Orlando City FC
May 29, 2016
NYCFC’s designated players combine again. A neat little 1-2 combo with Villa and Pirlo saw the Italian launch a ball over the top of the defense, before a neat little chip from Villa finished the move off. This goal, however, was massively overshadowed by a later error from Villa, who slipped in his penalty run up and skied his shot. If he had converted, it would have been 3-0 City. Instead, Orlando used the miss to their advantage, scoring twice, including with the very last kick of the game, to steal a point from City. Regardless of Villa’s uncharacteristic error, this goal was top draw.
3. Tommy McNamara vs. New York Red Bulls
July 24, 2016
It didn’t help that NYCFC were getting shellacked, 3-0, by their city rivals, New York Red Bulls. However, McNamara’s third and final goal of this list was his best. His shot from way outside found the upper 90 against Luis Robles, as he showed his combination of range and curving ability. An amazing goal, but a mere silver lining in what turned out to be a 4-1 defeat.
2. Jack Harrison vs. Montreal Impact
July 17, 2016
This goal finished runner up for MLS Goal of the Season, and it also finishes runner up in our list as well. Harrison’s fantastic dribbling gave him just an inch of space against his defender, and his finish was curled perfectly in the bottom corner from a tight angle. Pure class from one of the brightest young stars in the MLS.
1. Frank Lampard vs DC United
September 1, 2016
In terms of importance, Lampard’s late heroics against DC United go unmatched. Down 1-0, a poor back pass by a DC United player gave David Villa an easy goal. In the 89th minute, Frank Lampard completed the comeback, clinically finishing inside the box to give NYCFC the lead. However, as per usual, the defense blew it, and DC United equalized. Instead of settling for the point, NYCFC pushed on, and Lampard found a winner, a moment which will define his time at NYCFC– despite all the criticism he got at the beginning of his NYCFC career, his two late goals against DC United are the highlight of NYCFC’s season.
As they say, form is temporary, but class is permanent.