Keaton Parks scored his first MLS goal and Alexandru Mitrita added his ninth three minutes later to put first-place New York City FC in front en route to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
The two goals, coming inside the final six minutes of the first half, were enough to extend NYCFC's unbeaten run to seven matches and ensure they finish Week 28 atop the Eastern Conference standings.
For the moment, the Cityzens moved six points in front of the second-place Philadelphia Union, who play later Saturday at home against LAFC.
Chris Wondolowski scored his MLS record-extending 158th career goal and 14th of the season, but the Quakes fell to their second consecutive defeat and fifth in their last seven games.
San Jose began the weekend in fifth in the Western Conference, and depending on other results later could end it as low as eighth and one place beneath the playoff line.
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Goals
- 20' - SJ - Chris Wondolowski | WATCH
- 40' - NYC - Keaton Parks | WATCH
- 43' - NYC - Alexandru Mitrita | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Wondolowski's 14 goals are his most in an MLS season since he scored 16 during the 2015 campaign. The 36-year-old could yet post 16 goals for a fifth time during his 15-year career. Meanwhile, NYCFC have now taken seven of nine points since losing their leading scorer, Heber, for what is expected to be a layoff of roughly a month total with a hamstring injury.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: After struggling to see time early in the season, Parks has blossomed over the last few months. His goal combined his sweet distribution with some opportunistic finishing on the second attempt.
- MAN OF THE MATCH:Ronald Matarrita. The fullback made several brave interventions inside his own penalty area, and for the most part limited San Jose's Argentine playmaker Cristian Espinoza, who entered Saturday with 12 assists.
Up Next
- NYC: Sunday, Sept. 22 at FC Dallas (6 pm ET | UniMás, TUDN, Twitter, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- SJ: Saturday, Sept. 21 at Atlanta United (3:30 pm ET | Univision, TUDN, Twitter, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
