It has been a long time since New York City Football Club played a competitive match. They have not played since a disappointing 2-1 loss to Minnesota United. They team had issues and injuries that they all hope will be corrected when they play this Sunday against a red hot D.C. United.
NYCFC have already clinched a playoff spot but where they stand in the playoffs depends on the last two games of the season. Two NYCFC losses could see them fall as far as sixth in the playoff picture in the East. Philadelphia, Columbus and DC are all within striking distance and all those teams are playing well at the moment.
When the team lines up on Sunday they will have to prove to critics that they have solved the issues that hampered them in the pas few games. They have had time and they have players returning from injury. A big positive coming out of the international break is the return of Yangel Herrera. He was a key factor in the team’s early season success and has made a remarkable recovery in time to suit up for the last two games of the regular season and possibly be game fit for the playoffs. David Villa and Jo Inge Berget have both had time to clear up nagging injuries that slowed them down the last few games. Jonathan Lewis has returned from loan and the team as a whole should be fully loaded for a good playoff run.
NYCFC’s record in Playoff games, however has been dreadful with the team getting bounced out in their first match up in each of the past years. There is a mentality that the team must adopt in order to finish the season strong and head into the post season with momentum. How Dome Torrent forms his line up will have a great deal to do with the success.
Will he go with three up top, Villa, Ismael Tajouri-shradi and Jesus Medina or opt for a two forward approach with Berget and Villa? Will he opt for three at the back or a more traditional four man back line? Ben Sweat and Alexander Callens have both had short training weeks because of time spent with their national teams, and Torrent has shown a willingness to play three at the back in Yankee Stadium in the past. Will that approach work against Wayne Rooney and DC? It could be tested on Sunday. More likely, NYCFC will line up with a back line of Anton Tinnerholm, Maxime Chanot, Callens and Sweat. Ronald Matarrita could be used in place of Sweat depending on the approach to the game.
One thing is clear, NYCFC must solve their scoring woes. They have only scored multiple goals once in their last 8 matches and must to better to make a run in the playoffs. With all the pieces healthy after such a long break they have no excuse not to create more chances and put more balls in the back of the net.
NYCFC fans are all eager to see what team emerges out of this long break. will it be the frustrating one that struggled in the last few games or will it be a return to the mentality and form of the early season? This Sunday fans finally get a chance to find out.
