Goalkeeper Joshua Saunders seen making a save against the Columbus Crew. Saunders has been a key player for an inconsistent NYC FC defense.
Photo: Kristian Cardillo
Match Preview: NYC FC prepare for a difficult match against the Union
by Stephanie Lovelle, NY beat reporter
Taking their first loss in their team’s history, NYC FC returns to play after a bye week with an away match against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at 4pm EST.
NYC FC will go into PPL Park sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference table with five points compared to tenth place Union, who has earned two points in five matches.
Both side’s recent defeats have come from Sporting Kansas City, who’ve earned their points back-to-back in five matches played.
The March 28th match brought up questions of exactly how much of a unit NYC FC is at the moment. Another week of heroics from goalkeeper Josh Saunders nor the burst of attacking pressure on Sporting in the final minutes couldn’t stabilize NYC FC enough to come back from Ike Opara’s 12th minute header. Opara’s header became the game-winning goal after the 90 minutes finished with a 1-0 win for Sporting.
Kreis’ side had to deal with players sidelined due to injury and those on international duty. Fan favorite David Villa’s absence was notable as NYC FC failed to make the most of their attacking opportunities. They also had to do without Khiry Shelton who despite his role as a substitute, has proven himself to be a game changer off the bench.
Everything may be in order for NYC FC this week with the likely return of Villa up front and Sebastian Velasquez in midfield. Shelton and Adam Nemec, who tallied a goal for Slovakia during the international break, will also make their returns. But does this all equate to a promise of goals?
NYC FC hasn’t scored a goal since their match against the New England Revolution. While the Union has yet to bring in a win of their own this season, NYC FC were unable to capitalize, altitude factor aside, on the Colorado Rapids, a side’s whose struggles to win extend back to the 2014 season.
What on paper may appear to be a match that should come with certain ease for NYC FC may just be anything but another three points in their hands. The break may play in NYC FC’s favor, having been allowed time to regroup since the loss to Sporting but it remains to be seen if they can do better to create opportunities and get back on their scoring game. Kreis and his men have no need to panic just yet but failing to follow through with their chances is a pattern they do not wish to fall into.
NYC FC’s defense will need to be wary of Union striker Sebastien Le Toux. Union and NYC FC have picked up recent losses from Sporting KC.
However, the same can probably be said for the Union but with a little more desperation. Jim Curtin’s men are still searching for their first win of the season. Of the five goals scored so far, three have come from striker Fernando Aristeguieta while the other two were own goals. It’s undoubtedly of comfort to know that Aristeguieta has been able to do his job but such centralized scoring poses some questions. NYC FC’s defense is not particularly flawless so with better distribution, even just by getting Sebastian Le Toux into the mix, could do the Union well in creating more stress on Saunders.
Sticking to goalkeeping, this match also presents a strong chance that the role for both men on each said could be very critical. Saunders’ reliability in goal is currently of no concern for NYC FC but for the the Union, 22-year-old John McCarthy will be making his MLS debut after Curtin’s decision to bench Rais M’bolhi indefinitely and Andre Blake still not completely fit from a knee injury.
Just as much as it is an opportune time to get on track for both sides, Saturday’s match will serve as a definite learning experience as it’s the first of the home-and-home series with the Union and NYC FC meeting again at Yankee Stadium next week.
