Ismael Tajouri hit a second-half brace in the second start of his MLS career as a short-handed New York City FC side twice came from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at the New England Revolution on Saturday afternoon.
Tajouri now has three goals in two games filling in for star forward David Villa, who remained out Saturday with a calf injury. That was only the start of the absentee list for NYCFC, which remained unbeaten this season despite playing without Alexander Ring, Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace.
But after Diego Fagundez gave New England the lead early in the first half, Tajouri found space and got in position to be the finisher of a tremendous team counterattacking goal six minutes after halftime.
Juan Agudelo gave the hosts the lead again, only for Tajouri to take Yangel Herrera's pass and hammer home his second of the day with 15 minutes remaining.
Goals
- 11' - NE - Diego Fagundez Watch
- 51' - NYC - Ismael Tajouri Watch
- 63' - NE - Juan Agudelo Watch
- 75' - NYC - Ismael Tajouri Watch
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: It's early in the season, but these are the type of results that matter in the chase for the Supporters' Shield. Without their offensive catalyst in Villa and two important defenders, NYCFC responded to adversity in a big way to earn a point on the road.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: With honorable mention to some of New England's missed chances in the first half, Tajouri's first goal was as pretty a counterattack as you will see on the planet, let alone in an MLS fixture.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Tajouri may not have dominated large portions of the match in the way New England's Cristian Penilla appeared to. But the ability to finish chances when his team are missing a striker of Villa's caliber will be irreplaceable to NYCFC boss Patrick Vieira.
Up Next
- NE: Saturday, March 31: At Houston Dynamo (8:30 pm ET | TV & Streaming Info)
- NYC: Saturday, March 31: At San Jose Earthquakes (8 pm ET | ESPN 2 - Full TV & Streaming Info)
