There was plenty to celebrate for NYCFC. (Photo courtesy of NYCFC)

New York City FC scored twice in the opening half and held off D.C. United to register a 3-2 MLS triumph at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night.

The win boosted NYCFC (2-1-1, 7 points) into fifth place in the Eastern Conference while 11th-place United (4) fell to 1-2-1.

Talles Magno, Santi Rodriguez, who had an assists, and Thiago Andrade found the net for City against D.C., which has won but once against the Cityzens at the stadium over the past eight seasons.

Magno lifted the hosts into a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute and Rodriguez doubled the lead, off a Gabriel Pereira assist in the 37th minute.

 

Only a minute into the second half Christian Benteke pulled one back for the visitors.

Andrade, who replaced Talles Magno eight minutes prior, gave NYCFC some much needed breathing room in the 88th minute because Steven Birnbaum tallied two minutes later for the final score of the match.