Mix Diskerud faces the media at NYCFC training day
Photo: Erik Karakauer
Key battles in NYC FC home opener
by Anna Ferkingstad, New York
For the brand new blue and white side, this weekend is big – big for the franchise and big for the league. NYC FC is beginning their 2015 season in Yankee Stadium with a matchup against Jay Heaps and the New England Revolution. The entire stadium has been opened for the 5pm kick off, and rumors are circulating about the quality of the surface of the baseball diamond converted soccer field. The game marks the first time that City’s fans see the club play at home and coach Jason Kreis and his players will be looking for an exciting win to reward the already strong fan base.
Last weekend against Orlando FC, Kreis’ side demonstrated it has talent. Rookie Khiry Shelton made a big showing in the latter minutes of the game while captain Mix Diskerud had a picture perfect arched shot to score the opening goal of the game and the first regular season goal in the franchise’s history. The team, however, is new. Players are still figuring out how to play with each other and how to connect on the field, and it showed. The team’s key striking threat, David Villa, was virtually eliminated from offensive play because of a compact midfield.
On the other coast, the New England Revolution had there own batch of problems against Seattle’s rave green. Falling 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders, the Revolution looked determined but incohesive in their central and defensive play. Injuries left New England without Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones, two key players during the teams 2014 postseason run. Nguyen was announced as returning to practice this week but it is unclear whether the striking threat will start in the game against NYC FC.
In preparation for this highly anticipated East Coast clash, here are a few battles that will be key to the outcome of the game:
Key Match Ups
1. Revolutions Defensive Line vs. David Villa
David Villa holds the record for most all-time goals scored for the Spanish National team at 59, including nine World Cup goals. Villa signed for NYC FC as a potent striker and has shown that he knows how to finish. But during last weekends game, where was this Villa? In the match up with Orlando, NYC was out shot 8 to 13. New York’s midfield struggled to connect with Villa and he looked isolated from most of the attacking play.
If NYC FC can look to involve Villa in the attack, New England’s center backs Jose Goncalves and Andrew Farrell will be in trouble. New York’s offensive combination of Villa and Adam Nemec could threaten the Revolution in the same manner that the Seattle Sounder’s Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey did in last week’s 3-0 loss. New York’s attacking success will rely greatly on the performance of the Revolution’s defensive line.
2. Mix Diskerud vs. Kelyn Rowe
As announcers distinguished in the Orlando game, Mix Diskerud could be Kreis’ next Kyle Beckerman. Diskerud has the ability to see passing lanes and control play. He scored the franchise’s first regular season goal with a poised shot in the 76th minute of the game at the Citrus Bowl.
Despite the loss, the Revolution held the possession advantage last weekend against Seattle. In the absence of Jermaine Jones, midfielders like Kelyn Rowe, Diego Fagundez and Teal Bunbury have had to step up for Heaps. This matchup is less about how Diskerud and Rowe will play against each other, and more about how they can play for their individual teams. For example, Diskerud’s ability to pick apart the Revolution’s center could be a huge factor in the threat Villa poses during the 90 minutes of play.
3. Lee Nguyen vs. NYC FC center backs (Chris Wingert and Jason Hernandez)
It is still unclear if Lee Nguyen will return to Sunday’s game. Missing the season opener with a groin injury, Nguyen was said to have resumed full practices this past week. During the 2014 season, he scored the 4th most goals in the league and was a prominent player in New England’s playoff run. If Nguyen is to enter Sunday’s game, NYC FC’s Wingert and Hernandez will have to play as a cohesive unit. The two center backs had a hard time containing the speed of Orlando’s Carlos Rivas and revealed that time together (something a brand new franchise lacks) is what truly helps a center back pair perform well.
New England’s midfielder Teal Bunbury clashes with Seattle’s Leo Gonzalez in last weekend’s 3-0 loss for the Revolution.
Either side will have to make changes from last weekend if they want the win. That being said, this Sunday is not as much about the result as it is either club getting a footing. A whole season lies ahead. The first few weeks of MLS should be about coaches and players deciding what works and what doesn’t work, not about the flashy wins.
It will be a loud and exciting game. High in aggression and passion, it is likely the sea of light blue and white jerseys will be too much for the Revolution to overcome. I predict a close match but with NYC FC pulling ahead on a late goal for a 2-1 win. It will be a difficult task for the Revolution’s defense to contain the likes of Diskerud, Villa and Shelton.
