Heartbreak for NYCFC

Heartbreak for NYCFC

BRONX, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- Andrew Jacobson scored his first goal in more than two years as New York City FC lost 2-1 to Columbus Crew SC in front of a sell-out crowd of 30,018 on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Justin Meram scored the match winner in the 83rd minute as New York City FC drop to 7-13-7 (28 points) and the Crew improve to 11-8-8 (41 points).

Trailing 1-0 in the 29th minute, New York City FC defender Jason Hernandez played a ball in the air ahead to Patrick Mullins, who showed good control by trapping it on his chest. The forward, who was making his first start since July 18, laid the ball off to his side for Jacobson. The midfielder took one touch ahead then unleashed a rocket from 25 yards out to tie the score at 1-1.

It was Jacobson’s sixth goal in Major League Soccer and his first since June 22, 2013.

Columbus took an early advantage thanks to Federico Higuain in the 10th minute. Wil Trapp served up a corner kick into the box that the Crew midfielder met with his head to put the visitors up 1-0.

New York City FC responded less than 20 minutes later, scoring for the first time in a first half since the Club’s 5-3 win over Orlando City SC on July 26.

The Club had a chance to take the lead before the break on a spectacular effort by Mix Diskerud. New York City FC took a quick free kick near midfield. Captain David Villa got the ball on the left and had a nice give-and-go with Frank Lampard, who was making his first start since August 9. Mullins then got the ball and chipped it in front of the net as Mix tried a bicycle kick that went over the bar.

The score remained 1-1 at halftime.

New York City FC came out the aggressor in the second half as Jefferson Mena almost headed home Andrea Pirlo’s corner kick, but it went wide of the net.

After a back and forth half, it was Columbus that escaped with the spoils. The Crew gained possession in midfield as Higuain found Meram on the left side. The second-half substitute cut into the box and placed his shot into the low far corner to make it 2-1.

New York City FC are on a bye Labor Day Weekend and return to action on September 12 against FC Dallas. Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. ET from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (YES Network, WFAN, WADO).