Things are looking up for NYCFC with two solid wins in the last two games. A 3-2 win at home against the Philadelphia Union and 2-0 away at the Seattle Sounders firmly places them second in the East with a derby game against Red Bulls on the horizon. A few things stand out as to why this could be the start of an interesting and positive stretch for NYCFC. The play of Jack Harrison has been a huge positive for the club. The youngster seems like the real deal. NYCFC are dangerous on the attack now that they don’t have to just rely on David Villa for a creative spark up front. But, like it or not NYCFC fans, the real game changer has been the inclusion of Frank Lampard into the line up.
The Fall and Rise of Frank Lampard
With two goals in his first two starts of the year, Lampard has hit the ground running, literally. He scored the opening goals in both the win against the Union and the Sounders and looked dangerous through out both contests. His goals have not been spectacular. He finds the right place at the right time. He does that and will continue to do that as long as he is on the pitch and healthy.
Let us not forget he was booed when he came on as a sub in the New York Red Bulls game after it was already out of reach and has been the subject of scrutiny and insults ever since the signing debacle with Manchester City last year. Fans have rightfully been frustrated with his salary verses his amount of playing time since he joined the club.
It is time for fans to put all that behind and embrace the super Frank playing the game now. There is no doubt NYCFC are a better team with him on on the pitch. Having just turned 38, he provides the midfield with a perfect compliment to Andrea Pirlo and Villa. The passes are crisp and dangerous in the attack now and his soccer IQ is extraordinary.
Younger players like Mix, Poku and Lopez have all played his spot in Viera’s system with some degree of success, but none of them have offered the full skill set that Lampard brings to the table. How many shots did he have against the Sounders? He almost had a second goal on the rebound against the Union when Villa barely missed his superb chip attempt. Again, he found the right place at the right time. He reads the game and plays it with a mastery that comes from so many years in the Premiere league.
As NYCFC look for a spot in the playoffs and approach the next derby with Red Bulls, looking to find their first win in history against a New York based team, one can only wonder, is Frank Lampard going to be in the right place at the right time? If the current run of form keeps up, it seems there is a very good chance he will.
Main Photo:
