Since we last met to discuss NYCFC, the team has played three games. They got each of the three possible results. They got their first three points at home. And they also pissed away three points at home.
And now they’re about to embark on a three-game road trip.
Whoa.
So in the spirit of the magic number, here are three observations about the three games NYCFC have just played, and the three games NYCFC are about to play.
For starters, while everyone is bemoaning that NYCFC got only one point out of a possible six in the first two of those three games, let’s remember that those games were against the two top teams in NYCFC’s division. And one of those games was on the road, against a team who STILL haven’t lost at home. So yes, the Cityzens looked a right clownshow on the pitch in Chester. And yes, letting in that extra time goal made the match with Montreal feel like a loss instead of a draw. But still, those two teams were (as crazy as it sounds) the cream of the eastern division. And for a seventh place team like NYCFC to take ANY points against them should be counted as a something of a victory.
Second, while NYCFC got a much-needed three points against Vancouver, one should recall that the Whitecaps currently sit in 8th in the west – one corresponding position below NYCFC, with one more point (because the west is tougher than the east). They were winning in Dallas on the 24th (when NYCFC was losing to Philadelphia), then drawing at home against Kansas City on Wednesday the 28th (when NYCFC were drawing Montreal) and then flying to New York for the match in the Bronx on Saturday. During that same time, all NYCFC had to do was hop on a Bolt Bus to Philly. Look, I’m not making excuses for an opponent, but that’s a brutal bit of scheduling for the Whitecaps that NYCFC was able to take advantage of. And that they will be on the other end of starting Sunday.
And third, it’s actually possible that this trial by fire has shown fans what NYCFC’s starting XI are. Or at least VIII of them. For in the past three games, Patrick Vieira has started Josh Saunders, Ronald Matarrita, Jason Hernandez, Frederic Brilliant, Mikey Lopez, Federico Bravo, David Villa and Khiry Shelton. That’s a lot more consistency than NYCFC have shown seen in the past and it extends even to the subs – in Philly, Vieira brought on Tommy McNamara and RJ Allen, who both saw starting time in subsequent matches, and against Vancouver, Steven Mendoza came on, who had started against the Union. Of course, all of this begs the question “will this approach be thrown out when the British Invasion finally commences” (that is, when Jack Harrison and Frank Lampard are fit enough to take the pitch?). And will Vieira even want to if NYCFC are winning?
Okay, all that’s the three games NYCFC have already played. So now, three observations about the three games NYCFC are about to play.
Last year NYCFC’s season effectively ended on the bermudagrass of RFK. And it ended in spectacular fashion – NYCFC held the lead for much of the match and then gave up two late game goals and the pipe dream of the playoffs slipped through their fingers. However, the DC United team NYCFC will face this weekend sits only one place above New York in the standings, (tied on points, but better on goal differential). And, furthermore, DC will be without Chris Pontius (who now plays for Philly) and Chris Rolfe who’ll be sitting a suspension. Those two facts alone make DC a very different team from the one NYCFC faced in the rain in October, and should make fans optimistic for points.
Second, this road trip will be the first visit to the left coast for Mataritta, Mendoza, Brilliant, and Bravo. And as if that transcontinental flight won’t be enough, they’ll then hop on a flight halfway back across the continent to play TFC on Wednesday. That’s some serious travel for guys who aren’t road warriors and it’ll be interesting to see how it affects them and if Vieira adjusts accordingly. Also this will be the first visit for most of the players to Portland’s Providence Park. And if you’ve never been, I’m telling you right now, GO. It’s insane in every good soccer way – from the fans to the neighborhood to the venerable old “house of pane” itself. NYCFC are in for quite an experience and I’m not sure they’re ready for it.
And third, lest we forget, the final game of the road trip is against Toronto, and NYCFC are still bizarrely dominant against Canadian teams. The freakish abnormality that I pointed out last year continues apace this year. When you add 2016’s draws against Toronto and Montreal to NYCFC’s record last year, you find they’re a mind-blowing 5 wins 3 draws and 1 loss. Will that dominance continue at BMO Field on May 18th after playing in Portland a scant three days earlier?
I don’t know. All I know is that last year, NYCFC won all their games in Canada. You know how many games that was?
Three.
Whoa…
Main Photo: Tullio Puglia, Getty Images
