NYCFC midfielder Andrea Pirlo takes a corner during an MLS between NYCFC and DC United at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., USA on Mar. 12, 2017. Photo: Ashley Marshall
New York City travels to DC United on Saturday hopes to repeat the dominant performance from their 4-0 victory a few weeks ago in the Bronx.
The game should line up much the same as the last match up and NYCFC will hope to exploit the extra space in RFK stadium. Baring the playoffs, his will be the last meeting of the two teams this year and DC will again be without play-maker Marcelo Sarvas because of a retroactive punishment for an off the ball incident last week against Philadelphia. They will also be without injured striker Patrick Mullins.
DC has shown improvement since the last match up with a win against the Philadelphia Union last weekend. A game that saw United score their first two goals of the season. Even with this improvement NYCFC should come away with a win.
Patrick Vieira has started the same 11 for the past three games since the big win over DC and have enjoyed success over that time with two wins and a draw. The big question is if Thomas McNamara, who scored the winning goal last week off the bench, will enter into the starting 11. The team seems to be gelling and playing well. If McNamara does start, then who does Vieira sit? It is one of those questions a coach wants to have to answer.
NYCFC has also shown improved defense this year. 11 players have won at least 11 tackles this year in MLS and NYCFC has two of them in the starting line up. Alexander Ring and Ronald Matarrita are both putting in the hard work for the team and it is paying off. Matarrita’s presence going forward was a big contributor to the second goal against San Jose.
The game should be fast paced and fun to watch. Will David Villa get on the score sheet again or will he just provide beautiful back heels flicks to set up his team mates? Will DC respond with a new sense of purpose after their win last week and surprise NYCFC with revenge? All the questions will be answered Saturday at 4 PM.
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