NYCFC's Alexandru Mitrita may have scored the best goal of the 2019 MLS preseason.
The newest star signing for the Cityzens netted a spectacular second goal in NYCFC's 2-0 win over future MLS expansion side Nashville SC in front of a rain-drenched 5,384 fans at First Tennessee Park on Friday night.
Now compare that goal to his first preseason strike in Abu Dhabi against Swedish side AIK and it would seem that Mitrita has a penchant for the spectacular:
The Romanian striker will get to show off his skills in official competition in a week's time when the 2019 MLS regular season kicks off. NYCFC will travel to face Orlando City SC in Week 1 on Saturday, March 2 (2:30 pm ET) in a nationally televised match (Univision) also streamed live on Twitter.
NYCFC boss Domenec Torrent fielded a first-choice starting XI against Nashville SC with all three Designated Players -- Maxi Moralez, Jesus Medina and Mitrita -- starting together for the first time. Moralez opened the scoring on a penalty kick and Mitrita sealed the result just before halftime.
Goals
- 28’ — NYC — Maxi Moralez (PK)
- 40’ — NYC — Alexandru Mitrita
NYCFC Lineup (4-3-3): Sean Johnson -- Ben Sweat (Tony Rocha 74'), Alexander Callens (Sebastien Ibeagha 68'), Maxime Chanot, Anton Tinnerholm (Joe Scally 83') -- Alex Ring, Ebenezer Ofori, Maxi Moralez -- Jonathan Lewis (Valentin Castellanos 59'), Alexandru Mitriță (James Sands 78'), Jesus Medina (Ismael Tajouri-Shradi 78')
Subs: Jeff Caldwell (GK), Brad Stuver (GK), Luis Barraza (GK), Juan Pablo Torres, Daniel Bedoya, Keaton Parks, Justin Haak, Abdi Mohamed
Nashville SC: Matt Pickens (Connor Sparrow 62') -- Kosuke Kimura (Vinnie Vermeer 62'), Ken Tribbett (Justin Davis 62'), Liam Doyle, Taylor Washington (Bradley Bourgeois 62') -- Michael Reed (Lebo Moloto 62'), Bolu Akinyode (Daniel Rios 45'), Alan Winn (Tucker Hume 62'), Matt LaGrassa (Genki Miyachi 83') -- Cameron Lancaster (Ropapa Mensah 62'), Kharlton Belmar (Darnell King 62')
