Consistency, Emerson said, is the hobgoblin of little minds. But Emerson never played soccer; if he had he’d know that it sure pays dividends on the pitch. A starting XI that play week in and week out become cohesive, develop chemistry, learn each other’s styles and preferences, and generally give itself an edge over opponents.
Unfortunately NYCFC don’t have the luxury of consistency in their next three matches – with the Gold Cup, new players, and curious playing surfaces, Coach Kreis will be forced – as he has all season – to juggle players in an effort to integrate the new ones into the team, manage around missing ones, and….oh yeah, win games.
How Soon is Now: NYCFC’s Next Three Matches
For starters, there’s the game against Toronto on Sunday, in which the Bronx will welcome Lampard, Iraola and Angelino, but will be without the services of Mix Diskerud (who’ll be with the national team in the Gold Cup). Now while we all love Mix, losing him right now isn’t a disaster; he’s been struggling and certainly isn’t as central to NYCFC as, say Bradley and Altidore have been to Toronto. Additionally, all indications are that Lampard will play (if he doesn’t the Third Rail may storm the field themselves in protest), and I’m going to suggest that Iraola start and give Wingert a rest. A Jozy-and-Bradley-less TFC is a great opportunity for the Athletic Bilbao veteran to familiarize himself with Yankee Stadium, MLS and most importantly, the other members of the back line.
Thus on Sunday, I’m suggesting:
Saunders
Allen, Facey, Hernandez, Iraola
Jacobson
Ballouchy, Lampard, Alvarez
Villa, McNamara
Essentially the team that beat Montreal last week, though with Hernandez back in his starting role (Watson-Siriboe subbing again if he’s still hurt), Iraola in for Wingert (who definitely needs a break), and Lampard and Alvarez for Poku and Mullins (Alvarez teaming with Ballouchy and McNamara to do some of the ball-chasing Frank probably won’t do).
The following week the Citizens head up to the bouncy jouncy fun fun fun fun fun of Gillette Stadium (how do these guys not have their own park yet?), where the surface is FieldTurf and the playing is crazy. One can assume that Kries won’t want to risk Villa’s knees on this surface – El Guaje didn’t take the field the last time FieldTurf was involved against the Cosmos at Hofstra. But will he sit Lampard and Iraola for the same reason? Fans have been waiting a long time for Frank and while they want to get as much out of him as they can, it would be tragic if he pulled, twisted or otherwise damaged something on that 36-year-old, 6 million dollar body in only his second match.
So let’s assume Kreis doesn’t roll the dice and instead plays it a little safe:
Saunders
Allen, Hernandez, Facey, Wingert
Jacobson
Ballouchy, Alvarez, McNamara
Poku, Mullins
This gives the team MLS/NASL veterans who’ve played on FieldTurf (Ballouchy, Wingert, McNamara, Jacobson, Hernandez, Mullins, Poku) and are therefore familiar with it, while still maintaining enough of the regulars for consistency (that last refuge of the unimaginative) against a foe hungry to revenge their March defeat in the Bronx.
And then it’s back to Yankee Stadium for the Pirlo party, when you’re going to want everyone to be firing on all cylinders against Kaka and an OCSC team that have managed to climb into third in the east. Plus, they hate us. Or at least, their fans hate NYCFC’s fans, and they’re giving RBNY a run for their money as the Citizens’ top rival.
Thus top form is important, so let’s assume a starting XI like this:
Saunders
Allen, Hernandez, Facey, Iraola
Jacobson
Ballouchy, Pirlo, Lampard
Villa McNamara
Again, Ballouchy and McNamara for their goal scoring as well as their ability to chase down balls for Lampard and Pirlo – though if for some reason (god forbid) the USMNT have been knocked out of the Gold Cup by this point, of course Mix would start over one of them. I’d also bring Angelino on for his debut to eventually spell Iraola, and plan on Alvarez for Pirlo. Lampard probably also won’t play a full 60, but whether it’s Shelton, Poku or Mullins who comes on to replace him will depend on the score and the tenor of the match.
Effectively navigating NYCFC’s next three matches could be the difference in the season. Do it the right way and they’ll be a unified team ready for a brutal four-games-in-two-weeks schedule that will see them away against the hated Red Bulls, home against current conference leaders DC United, and then out to Columbus to face the on-fire Crew and then on to Los Angeles for the Gerrard/Lampard derby we’ve all been waiting for.
Go about things the wrong way, and you’ll have more trouble than money can buy.
Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images
