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Major League Soccer

Aug 1, 2015 at 7pm UK

NY City New York City FC
2-3
Montreal CF Montreal

Villa (68' pen.), McNamara (85')

FT(HT: 0-2)

Oduro (5'), Piatti (32', 84' pen.)

Match Report

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Football

Frank Lampard targets return to full fitness after making MLS bow

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 August 2015

New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard says that it was a "pleasure" to make his debut at the Yankee Stadium, despite his side suffering a 3-2 home defeat.

Frank Lampard has acknowledged that he has a lot of work to do before he finds his top form at New York City FC.

The former England international made his long-awaited debut for the MLS franchise on Saturday evening in a 3-2 home defeat against Montreal Impact.

Lampard admits that it was "nice" to finally shake off the calf strain that had delayed his Stateside bow, and has now targeted a return to full fitness.

"It was fantastic to run out on the pitch at Yankee Stadium with the fans showing a lot of support, I really enjoyed that moment obviously, but not perfect circumstances," the ex-Chelsea midfielder is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"I'd much rather have been running out in a win or with the team pushing for a win, and we were pushing to get back into the game.

"It's nice, it's a pleasure to run out, but now I look forward; I want to get fit, I haven't trained enough, I want to get the leg right and be able to contribute."

Defeat for NYCFC leaves them down in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.