During and after Sunday’s third and final Hudson River Derby of the season, Frank Lampard received quite a lot of criticism. Lampard was the first big signing for the new New York City club, but he was sent to England on loan to Manchester City FC to await the start of the Major League Soccer season. This is old news, but his stay was extended when it was discovered that MLS didn’t hold Lampard’s contract, owners City Football Group did. This was the start of unrealistic expectations for Frank Lampard.
It’s not Lampard’s fault that MLS and CFG didn’t disclose the nature of his contract. It’s not his fault that he played better than expected and was kept in Manchester to help City challenge for the title and advance in UEFA Champions League. It was shady and it was frustrating and it infuriated a lot of people, but isn’t it a good thing that your future player is good enough to still play at that level? Isn’t it a positive that he was considered vital enough to keep until May knowing it would be an unpopular decision?
It didn’t help his image that he arrived with a calf injury and was unable to play his first few games in an NYCFC kit. Lampard’s reputation preceded him, and fans were growing angry they weren’t getting their promised star, even if he was injured and not at full fitness.
Lampard made his debut at Yankee Stadium after just one training session. He played 30 minutes in the loss to Montreal, with a performance that was seen as disappointing. He had his first full week of training before Sunday’s match against the New York Red Bulls, and earned a starting spot.
Again, the expectations were high, and because Lampard’s performance wasn’t dazzling, many called for him to be substituted off. Lampard didn’t have a bad game. He had four shots, completed 70% of passes, and held his position at the top of the 18. Lampard is not to be blamed for other players ball watching and not doing their jobs, but since he’s already disappointed in other matters (matters that weren’t necessarily his fault), he’s an easy target for blame.
Red Bull Mike Grella nutmegged Lampard before the final goal was scored, and it suddenly defined the game for the Englishman. The fact that NYCFC defender Jefferson Mena actually nutmegged himself earlier in the game faded away. Pirlo had a similar number of passes completed, created the same amount of chances, had zero shots, and did not have near the same criticism as Lampard.
Lampard played 20 years in the English Premier League and 18 of those with England, scoring 216 goals in the process. Six of those goals were scored last season with MCFC. He’s the top scoring midfielder in the Prem with 177 in league play, as well as the fourth highest ranked scorer overall, above former Arsenal and RBNY hero, Thierry Henry. The man can score as well as create chances. He has 102 career assists, more than LA Galaxy’s heralded signing Steven Gerrard (92).
His debut for NYCFC comes off an already long year. Lampard played in the 2014 World Cup over the summer, a full season with MCFC, played for City in the UCL, and was recently injured. He didn’t meet any unrealistic expectations in the derby, but he had shining moments. NYCFC fans should be more worried about Andrea Pirlo and the entire back line than Lampard’s performance.
Lampard will shine for NYCFC, just not as bright as the insanely high expectations put upon him. He is star coming off a full year of playing with next to no rest and an injury and he is still working as hard as ever.
