New York City FC, D.C. United play to 0-0 draw as goalkeepers shine

Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid each put on a goalkeeping clinic as New York City FC and D.C. United played to a 0-0 draw at Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The visitors pressed from the outset and had the first quality scoring chance following a nice combination between Wayne Rooney, Paul Arriola and Luciano Acosta, who had an open shot from 12 yards out. But Johnson dived to his right to get his right hand on the attempt in the 11th minute.

After Acosta blocked an attempted clearance, Arriola put a shot on frame, but Johnson got a piece and the ball deflected out for a D.C. United corner kick in the 24th minute.

NYCFC dominated possession in the scoreless first half and got their best scoring chances after the half-hour mark, both from newly-minted captain Alex Ring, who put a long distance shot just over the crossbar in the 31st minute and then forced Hamid to make a diving save six minutes later.

Four minutes after halftime, Valentin Castellanos latched onto a Maxi Moralez cross, but his downward header from the edge of the six-yard box was off target.

Alexandru Mitrita put a free kick on frame from 24 yards out in the 78th minute, but Hamid knocked it down before the ball was cleared.

Acosta had another chance, this one in the 83rd minute, receiving a ball from second-half substitute Ulises Segura.

Hamid’s best save was arguably his last when he stretched out to his left to get a hand on a diving Ring header.

NYCFC remain home to take on LAFC next Sunday at 3 p.m., while D.C. United return to Audi Field to face Real Salt Lake Saturday at 8 p.m.