Rumors have been circulating all week about the NYC head coach and his European offers, but for now at least Patrick Vieira is not going to Nice and is focused on the game ahead. Last week Vieira surprised Colorado with a new look to the line up, three at the back and a midfield full of pace and talent. What Friday night’s game in Houston has in store is anybody’s guess. Will the new line up hold up on a bigger field or will Vieira revert back to the usual 4-3-3?
“Every game presents its own set of challenges, ” Vieira said after training Tuesday, ” This one is going to be another one where they have so much strength going forward and are quite strong at the back. ” For this game NYCFC likely fall back to their old line up. Houston’s pitch is much bigger than Yankee Stadium’s and three in the back would leave the outside wing backs with plenty of ground to cover. It will Be the last game for Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace before they depart for the World Cup so expect to see them in some part of the game as well.
NYCFC has never lost to Houston with one win and two draws in their three meetings. Houston is strong at home and City will have quite a task to keep that streak alive. It has been four game since NYCFC have won on the road and while draws against Atlanta and LAFC are certainly nothing to sneeze at, David Villa and company will have to be on their best game to take points from the contest.
David Villa is a locked up starter but there are questions about what weapons Vieira will place beside him. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi has only taken one shot on frame this year that has not hit the back of the net. He will likely be a part of the starting 11 in some way. That will leave Jesus Medina, Jo Inge Berget and Rodney Wallace all fighting for that third starting spot beside Villa. Berget has been the choice of late but it would be a real treat to see how Villa, Medina, and Shradi combine in front of Maxi Moralez’s play making abilities.
Alberth Elis seems to be the player to watch for Houston. The Honduran scored a brace in the last game against Chicago and will look to challenge NYCFC’s back line. Thomas Martinez and Romell Quinto are also dangerous players going forward. Vieira is right that every game presents it’s own challenges and NYCFC will have to be up to the challenge of a talented Houston midfield on Friday.
It should be a good game and, for NYCFC fans, it will be nice to see Vieira still on the side lines. Nice is very nice this time of year but for NYCFC they hope that Houston is “Nicer.”
