Bronx, NY- While the entire narrative was set against New York City FC coming into Saturday afternoon's match against the Colorado Rapids, the boys in blue completely flipped the script at Yankee Stadium. Lead by a Frank Lampard hat-trick, NYCFC beat Colorado 5-1 on a stormy afternoon in the Bronx.
Bad Outlook, Great Result
After a bad week for the club, who lost All-Star forward David Villa to suspension amid a 4-1 loss at the New York Red Bulls last Sunday, the Blue Pigeons enjoyed arguably their best ever performance against the league's best defensive corps.
Despite only conceding 14 goals this season, Pablo Mastroeni's men conceded 26% of their goals at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
The Rapids were able to get the majority of the chances towards goal in the first twenty minutes of the first half, yet none of their chances towards Josh Saunders' goal were of any substance.
Crushing the Critics
Frank Lampard scored his first of three goals on the afternoon in the 28th minute when he tapped home a cross in the six-yard box to open the scoring. Taking over captain duties for suspended David Villa, Lampard continued to shrug of his early doubters with an astute performance. The former Chelsea star was a force in the midfield, offensively and defensively. Assistant coach Christian Lattanzio was delighted with Super Frank's performance when he spoke to the media after the match.
"As a captain, he (Lampard), was magnificent. He was a fantastic influence on the team."
Lampard's goal would be the last piece of action for almost an hour, as the match was suspended due to lightning and rain in the 29th minute.
Lighting Strikes
When the lightning had passed and the players returned to the field, things would get much worse for the visitors. City came out of the mini break with continued offensive chances, with both Tommy McNamara and Lampard getting shots at Tim Howard after the match restart.
Colorado went down a man when referee Baldomero Toledo awarded Rapids' Micheal Azira his second yellow of the match in the 37th minute. New York City was already dominating the midfield 11 v 11, and going up a man would allow the NYCFC midfield to continue it fluid movements in the middle of the park.
Seconds For Two
Tony Taylor poked home City's second goal of the first half in the 42nd minute. Despite being denied on his first shot by Tim Howard, Taylor was able to beat the US Men's National Team goalkeeper's five-hole to score his second of the season
After facing an onslaught of chances in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, the Rapids' defense once again broke down. Substitute Steven Mendoza stole the ball deep in the Colorado half, turned around, beat a defender, and slid the ball past Howard for New York City's third of the match.
Frank Lampard secured his second goal of the match in the 81st minute when he smashed home a ball past Howard from the top of the box. After setting Jack Harrison free on the right wing, Harrison returned the favor and Lampard gave NYCFC a four-goal advantage.
History
Jack Harrison was taken down in the Colorado box in the 83rd minute, and Frank Lampard completed the club's first ever hat-trick from the penalty spot.
The Rapids would get a consolation goal in the 92nd minute, when Shkelzen Gashi's free kick made its way through the wall and past a diving Josh Saunders.
Streak = Broken
The match saw Colorado give up five goals for the first time this season, as well as breaking a 15-game unbeaten streak that dated back to an April 9 loss to Real Salt Lake.
Next
New York City head to northern California for a Friday night matchup with the San Jose Earthquakes. Colorado heads back home to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at Dick Sporting Goods Park.