NEW YORK – In the standings, it is just one point.
But for New York City FC, rallying from two goals down with a man down to earn a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire Friday night at Yankee Stadium could mean so much more.
“I’m very hopeful that this is set as sort of a landmark for our group, so they understand they can get results if they’re willing to do whatever it takes,” NYCFC coach Jason Kreis said. “If they’re willing to put in that type of effort, I believe that we will get results.”
While the losing streak ends at four games, the winless streak extends to nine. But considering the dire straits NYCFC were in before the match was 30 minutes old, this draw certainly felt like a win in the locker room.
“I think this could be a positive turning point for us,” said striker David Villa. “I do not remember in my entire career to be in a similar situation, being with 10 men for over 70 minutes and to show this attitude and how we dominated the game after that. I think it was fantastic to come back from 2-0 down and score goals and not concede any.
“It was a fantastic attitude from the team.”
Mehdi Ballouchy’s team-leading third goal of the season, a rebound off a saved Villa shot, in first half stoppage time provided the spark needed. The mentality in the locker room at the half was the most positive Kreis has seen during this stretch.
“I think the timing was definitely very good for us,” Ballouchy said.
Despite the deficit – in manpower and score – NYCFC continued to push forward for the equalizer. They changed tactics, pumping long balls forward to Villa, whose blue-collar effort rubbed off on teammates.
The effort was rewarded in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Villa stretched out to tap the ball to Khiry Shelton, who took a quick touch before slotting a low, left-footed shot between defenders and inside the far post for the dramatic equalizer.
“I didn’t know what to feel, especially being down two goals and a man. It was amazing,” Shelton said. “I just froze for a second. I didn’t know what to do. It was fantastic.”
Mix Diskerud, who bounced back with a solid effort on both sides of the ball after being criticized by Kreis following last week's 2-1 loss to the Red Bulls, said he knows just how to celebrate with the 21-year-old Shelton later.
“I’m going to make him some hot cocoa before he goes to bed tonight,” Diskerud said of his roommate. “I’ll tuck him in.”
Kreis believes Shelton’s first Major League Soccer goal could be a watershed moment for the promising rookie.
“I’ve been in Khiry’s shoes, so I can say this with a lot of clarity and belief, I think that goal could put him to the next level,” Kreis said. “That’s what he needed. He needed a goal, however it came. He certainly didn’t create that goal, but he finished it.”
It was what NYCFC needed, too.
“It was really crucial for us to gain that confidence. We have great players, our team is much better than what our position in the league shows,” Villa said. “When you haven’t won in so many games, confidence in the team suffers. It was fantastic, the attitude the team showed today, and I’m hoping this will be a turning point.”
