David Villa scored the lone goal of the match in the 49th minute. (Keith Furman Photo)
TUCSON, Ariz. — David Villa provided the scoring and Sean Johnson supplied the saving as New York City FC wrapped up its preseason with a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in the Desert Diamond Cup Saturday.
Villa connected on a header off a Maxi Moralez cross in the 49th minute and Johnson kept KC off the scoring sheet with a penalty kick save later in the second half.
The Blues played the final eight minutes with a man advantage after Soony Saad was red carded.
On the lone goal of the match, Alex Callens and Jack Harrison combined to move the ball down the left side before Moralez sent in a cross that Villa headed to the turf and past goalkeeper Tim Melia.
Johnson’s heroics came in the 62nd minute after defender Ronald Matarrita fouled Benny Feilhaber in the penalty area. Johnson, however, dove to his right to to deny Saad to keep Sporting scoreless.
City newcomers Yangel Herrera, Alex Ring and Rodney Wallace played their first minutes for the club.
Melia, who hails from East Islip, N.Y., denied a Maxime Chanot header in the 16th minute.
Scoring Summary:
NYC — David Villa (Maximiliano Moralez) 51′
NYC FC Starting XI: Johnson; Allen, Chanot, Callens, Matarrita; Herrera, Ring, Moralez; Harrison, Wallace, Villa
Sporting Kansas City: Tim Melia; Graham Zusi (Saad Abdul-Salaam 46), Ike Opara, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; Benny Feilhaber (Jimmy Medranda 67), Soni Mustivar, Roger Espinoza; Gerso Fernandes (Tyler Pasher 81), Soony Saad, Daniel Salloi (Latif Blessing 77)
