Match Preview: NYC FC to host Seattle Sounders
by Anna Ferkingstad, New York editor

Despite New York City FC’s home advantage on Sunday, the game against the Seattle Sounders stands as a daunting task for the new club. New York is now winless in their last six games and has struggled in recent matches to hold possession and capitalize on their offensive opportunities. Jason Kreis’ blue and white side has a record of 1-3-4, with their only regular season victory so far a 2-0 scoreline during their home opener with the New England Revolution.

New York’s most recent result, a 1-0 loss against the Chicago Fire, saw the team with eight shot attempts to Chicago’s 24. The goal came in the 20th minute, after the Fire’s David Accam was able to pick a back pass off of NYC goalkeeper Ryan Meara. Meara started in the place of New York’s Josh Saunders who was suspended after a tackle against the Timbers was reviewed in the following days. Saunders is a calming presence for New York’s backline with almost 6000 minutes of MLS experience. It is probable that he will be seen back in net to face the Seattle.

It is still unclear if striker David Villa will be healthy for the match against the Sounders but his presence could rejuvenate the recent stagnate New York attack. Injuries have forced NYC FC to play with a variety of lineups in their last matches against the Fire and the Portland Timbers. As New York continues to search for footing in the Eastern Conference and the league as a whole, the rotating line up is not helping. Forward Adam Nemec and defenders Javier Calle and Jason Hernandez are among those who might be unable to play on Sunday.

Villa has played a total of 405 minutes for New York this season, missing three games due to a hamstring strain. In his absence, Kreis has looked towards rookie and youngster Khiry Shelton, as well as Patrick Mullins and Kwadwo Poku to help fill the void. The three young forwards bring new energy each time they enter as a substitute or earn a starting spot but lack experience in the league.

With a roster plagued with injuries and a red card suspension for starting midfielder Andrew Jacobson, a lot of responsibility will fall to Mix Diskerud and his ability to open the midfield and control the speed of play. The Sounder’s rely largely on the movement of wing players. Thus, NYC FC and Diskerud should use the narrow field of Yankee Stadium and the speed of rookie Shelton to their advantage. Defensively, New York’s Chris Wingert and Kwame Watson-Siriboe will have to eliminate the combinations between Seattle’s potent pairing of Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey.

The Seattle Sounders narrowly beat their Cascadia rivals, the Portland Timbers, last weekend 1-0. A disappointing match up between two teams with deep history, the teams were nearly level in shot count after 90 minutes.

The lone Sounders goal came in the 77th minute from Clint Dempsey after a slew of missed opportunities in the opening minutes. NYC FC recently fell 1-0 at home to the Portland Timbers, but outshot the green and yellow side 21 to 12. The win left the Seattle Sounder’s tied for third place in the West with the Galaxy and a season record of 4-1-2.

If NYC FC want the win against Seattle, the change will have to come from the midfield. A key battle to watch will be between the Diskerud and Seattle’s Ozzie Alonso, each a core member for their respective side in the center third. Possession combined with the fast transition would provide New York the defensive relief necessary for a team that is so anxious for a win.