NYCFC tops Earthquakes behind GK Johnson
Sean Johnson made nine saves as New York City FC rallied for a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at Avila Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Anton Tinneholm and Maximiliano Moralez scored 11 minutes apart in the second half as NYCFC (4-0-1) remained unbeaten through five games for the second straight season and upped its point total to 13.
NYCFC won despite missing David Villa for the third straight game with a calf injury. Villa was slated to return but was a late scratch.
Yeferson Quintana scored for San Jose, which fell to 0-3-1 all-time against NYCFC despite getting 19 shots with 10 of those attempts on target.
The Earthquakes also had a goal by Nick Lima taken away in the 80th minute when Danny Hoesen was ruled offsides.
Johnson came within two of his career for saves set twice during the 2015 season with the Chicago Fire.
After NYCFC took the lead in the 60th minute, Johnson did the rest, especially in the latter stages of the contest.
In the 79th minute, Johnson used his right hand to stop Quincy Amarikwa's header from six yards out. Two minutes later, he dove to his left to stop Valeri Qazaishvili's right footed shot.
In the 87th minute, Johnson made his last stop on Magnus Eriksson.
San Jose struck quickly and took a 1-0 lead in the third minute.
Eriksson made a corner kick and Quintana converted it with a header from the left side of the box as New York defender Maxime Chanot was late to cover.
NYCFC had a chance for the tie when Quintana fouled Yangel Herrera in the attacking half, resulting in a free kick. In the 17th minute, Ismael Tajouri's left-footed shot from 18 yards out sailed high over the net.
In the 44th minute, Jo Inge Berget appeared to have a clean look but his left-footed shot from about six yards to the left of the box was blocked.
NYFC tied the game when Tinnerholm a quick left-footed shot from the top of the box that flew over goaltender's head in the 49th minute.
The game-winning goal occurred in the 60th minute when Moralez deflected Tajouri's nifty pass with his left foot into the net.
--Field Level Media
