September 14, 2019.

NYCFC extended their unbeaten run to seven games as they beat the San Jose Earthquakes in a come-from-behind victory at home. Veteran striker Chris Wondolowski put San Jose up 1-0 midway through the first half, but two goals from Keaton Parks and Alexandru Mitrita before halftime were enough to give NYCFC a 2-1 win at Yankee Stadium.

In the 20th minute, San Jose were able to break through the right flank with a series of silky passes. Midfielder Vako reached the endline and sent in a low cross towards the near post. Chris Wondolowski beat NYCFC center back Alex Callens to the ball and poked it into the net to put the visitors up 1-0.

NYCFC nearly found an equalizer through Mackay-Steven just five minutes later. Following a neat set-piece routine off of a corner, Mackay-Steven burst into the penalty area and unleashed a left-footed rope towards the top left corner of the net. The ball skimmed a defender on its way to goal and rocked the crossbar before going out of play.

The home side would not be discouraged, though, and they eventually found an equalizer in the 40th minute through midfielder Keaton Parks. The 22-year-old started a counter-attack from within his own half and skipped past a couple of defenders with pace and skill. Before reaching the San Jose penalty area, Parks laid the ball off to his left and Mackay-Steven ran into the box with only goalkeeper Daniel Vega left to beat. Mackay-Steven fired down low, but Vega pulled off a good save. The San Jose defense failed to clear the rebound, and Keaton Parks slotted the ball into the net from the top of the box.

It was Parks’ first MLS goal, and the young American midfielder celebrated euphorically.

With the game tied at 1-1, NYCFC pushed for a second goal before the end of the half.

In the 43rd minute, Alexandru Mitrita made a diagonal run into the teeth of the San Jose defense, and midfielder Ismael Tajouri picked him out with an inch-perfect pass. Mitrita controlled the ball, and finished in stride past Daniel Vega to give NYCFC the 2-1 lead.

Right after the break, San Jose came out onto the field determined to find an equalizer. The visitors had two great chances to level the score early in the second half, but Sean Johnson pulled off two difficult saves to preserve his team’s lead.

In the 64th minute, NYCFC had a clear opportunity to extend their lead, but Alex Ring’s shot was cleared off the line after having trickled past goalkeeper Daniel Vega.

Neither team was able to find a goal during the rest of the match, and NYCFC walked off with a valuable win at home to extend their lead atop the Eastern Conference standings. With only four matches left to play, NYCFC are on track to finish first if they can continue their unbeaten streak.

As for San Jose, this loss only complicates their chances to make the playoffs in a tightly packed top seven in the West. Despite being in fifth place, San Jose must play Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle and Portland in their remaining four matches. With only two points separating San Jose from the eighth-place LA Galaxy, only time will tell if this loss is one they will regret.

-Pablo Bayona Sapag / Leonel Pillcorema

