David Villa and Rodney Wallace led New York City FC to a 4-0 victory over D.C. United in their 2017 home opener at chilly Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as the Spanish forward netted twice and Wallace notched a goal and an assist against his former club. The MLS debut of Ian Harkes was spoiled by the scoreline, but the 2016 MAC Hermann winner had a solid day, completing the third-most passes on the team with 83 percent accuracy. He was also tied with Nick DeLeon for the most chances created on the team with three. Costa Rican forward José Ortiz made his second consecutive MLS appearance when he replaced Patrick Mullins in the second half and goalkeeper Bill Hamid recorded his 550th career MLS save.
NYCFC had control by halftime, as Wallace's side volley, Villa's header and a Maxi Morález finish gave City a 3-0 lead 40 minutes into the match. United rallied briefly after the break, but could not find a way past goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Shortly after the first goal, United looked to have evened the scoreline when Lloyd Sam tapped in from close range, but the goal was disallowed after the assistant referee judged Sam to be offside. In the second half, the Black-and-Red started to create more, but nothing troubled Johnson, who had four saves on the day and overtook Hamid for the third-most saves among active goalkeepers.
United are now winless in three trips to the Bronx and don't return for the rest of the year. They host Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, March 18 at RFK Stadium before the FIFA internal break the following weekend. The Black-and-Red will look to find their goalscoring form after being shut out in consecutive matches for the first time since June 18 of last year.
