DC Shutdown: NYCFC Can't Get One By Old Pal

 

DC goalkeeper Sean Johnson takes this free kick in the 70th minute. Photo by Jason Schott.

New York City Football Club's tough stretch in MLS competition continued on Snuday afternoon, as they were beaten by DC United, 2-0, at Citi Field.

DC United goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who played for NYCFC from 2017-2022, earned the shutout with four saves. 

NYCFC had half of their shots on target, as they had eight overall, with 65.1 percent possession. The low shot total is reflective of how it felt like they were not attacking the net, more focusing on establishing possession at times, passing the ball amidst their teammates lined up in a semicircle.

DC United, on the other hand, poured in 19 shots overall, with seven on target, despite having the ball just 34.9 percent of the time.

In the 29th minute, DC had a sideline throw-in perpendicular to the net, and that was taken by Jared Stroud.

NYCFC players tried to head it away, and got a foot or two on it, but the ball found its way to a rather open Louis Munteanu at the center of the box, and he fired it by NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese to make it 1-0 DC.

It stayed that way deep into the second half, and DC doubled their lead when Munteanu scored again in the 75th minute on a penalty kick.

The PK was awarded after Lucas Bartlett was taken down leaping to try to head a ball off a sideline throw in, which means those basically led to both of their goals.

NYCFC is now 3-5-3, with 12 points, in ninth place in the MLS Eastern Conference. 

In three games at Citi Field, they now have two losses and a draw.

NYCFC's last win came on March 14, when they beat Colorado 3-1 at Yankee Stadium.

The following week, they took Lionel Messi and Miami to the wire in a 3-2 defeat on March 22 at a packed Yankee Stadium, and that began their seven-game MLS winless streak - five losses and two wins. Who knew that Miami game would be the hinge game of their season so far?

Since then, their only wins have come in the US Open Cup, which they have won two games in, including a 3-1 win last Wednesday at the Red Bulls.

Incredibly, there are only three MLS games left before the World Cup hiatus - against Columbus next Sunday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Yankee Stadium, followed by the Hudson River Derby at Red Bulls on Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. and at Nashville on Sat. May 23 at 8:30 p.m.