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While Zlatan Ibrahimovic was creating headlines and new hashtags after his amazing debut with the LA Galaxy, one of his Swedish mates provided his own spectacular moment in San Jose a few hours later. Anton Tinnerholm, returning from an ankle injury that held him out of two matches for New York City FC, scored on a full volley from a Maxi Moralez corner kick just four minutes into the second half to level the score at Avaya Stadium.
“I was inspired by Zlatan but I think my goal was harder,” Tinnerholm said after his side rallied for a 2-1 triumph over the Earthquakes. “That’s how we do it in Sweden.”
Tinnerholm now has two goals in his first MLS season. The other was also stunning – a left-footed volley from close range.
“You guys must believe I’m a monster here,” Tinnerholm said. “But I haven’t scored any goals like this in 25 years.”
Trade for Saad Abdul-Salaam paying early dividends
With the injury to Tinnerholm and Ben Sweat’s absence on Saturday due to the flu, Abdul-Salaam has started the last three matches at right back for NYCFC. The soft spoken 26-year-old, acquired from Sporting KC in exchange for Khiry Shelton, has wisely chosen his entries into the attack while finding good balance defensively. He has two assists in the three matches.
“Defending’s first, attacking second,” Abdul-Salaam said. “I use my pace to get forward when I can but I’m a defender first before an attacker.”
Early goals surrendered do not deter NYCFC
For the second consecutive week, NYCFC went down a goal on the road within the first ten minutes of the match. On Saturday, just three minutes had expired when Yefferson Quintana scored his first MLS goal to give the Quakes a 1-0 advantage. The Tinnerholm golazo and Moralez’ third goal of the year were the revival markers for NYCFC. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, whose brace secured a point at New England a week earlier, assisted on the Moralez winner in San Jose.
David Villa injured in pregame warm-ups
The injury sustained by Villa during a shooting exercise prior to the San Jose match was groin related and not a recurrence of the calf issue that left the captain unavailable in games against Orlando City and New England.