A subdued 75 minutes gave way to a breakneck final 15 minutes on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium and D.C. United's six-game unbeaten streak came to an end after three goals were scored after the 85th minute.
On a quick transition, United broke the deadlock in the 36th minute after Patrick Nyarko played fellow Ghanaian Lloyd Sam in on goal with a cutting through ball. Sam finished coolly past NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
Shortly thereafter, Patrick Mullins, playing in his first match back in the Bronx after being acquired by the Black-and-Red on July 20, got behind the City back line and fired a shot to the back post that Saunders managed to keep out and keep the deficit to one goal.
United continued to create chances in the second half but couldn't find a way past Saunders while the hosts struggled to fight back, but a costly turnover in the 79th minute allowed David Villa to score and tie the match at one.
Five minutes later, NYCFC took the lead when Lampard scored from close range, but D.C. showed quick resilience and battled back to tie it up a minute into stoppage time. Substitute Julian BĂĽscher swung in a corner that found Lamar Neagle, who headed home past Saunders in the 91st minute.
Lampard scored again two minutes to give New York City all three points heading into the Labor Day break. United return to the New York metro area next weekend when they face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena at 1:00 PM on ESPN.
