{"id":27643,"date":"2020-07-06T15:50:58","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T19:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=27643"},"modified":"2020-07-06T15:50:58","modified_gmt":"2020-07-06T19:50:58","slug":"nycfc-mib-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2020\/07\/06\/nycfc-mib-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"NYCFC MiB Preview: Can City make a run?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preview –\u00a0<\/strong>119 days after NYCFC’s heartbreaking 1-0 loss vs. Tigres, the Pigeons are set to be back in action via the MLS is Back Tournament<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NYCFC MiB Preview: Can City make a run?<\/h2>\n

While the tournament as a whole looks to be up in the air, from positive COVID tests to star players being absent, NYCFC will be desperate to get back on the pitch.<\/p>\n

Their start to their 2020 campaign may be a big reason why.<\/p>\n

A poor run of form:<\/h3>\n

In all competitions, NYCFC has a record of two wins and three losses. This includes an 0-2 start to the MLS campaign and a dramatic 1-0 vs. Tigres in the Concacaf Champions League.<\/p>\n

While run of form shouldn’t mean much given the length of time from those matches, first-year MLS manager Ronny Delia will be itching to get a chip off his shoulder in this tournament.<\/p>\n

Unfamiliar Faces:<\/h3>\n

Barring them being absent or being positive for COVID, there is a strong chance NYCFC fans will get their first look at their new signings from the winter. Among these new arrivals are Gedion Zelalem, Nicol\u00e1s Acevedo, and Gudmundor Th\u00f3rarinsson.<\/p>\n

Zelalem<\/a> signed on a free transfer from Sporting KC. While the former Arsenal product didn’t provide enough of an impact for KC to keep him, Zelalem brings depth at a position that will be key for the blues success.<\/p>\n

Acevedo<\/a> signed from Liverpool (Uruguay) for a fee of $2.53 million. The 20-year-old brings more potential to a young midfield core. With his creativity and knack for getting by defenders, he brings an enticing counter to the defensive play from Parks and Sands.<\/p>\n

Th\u00f3rarinsson<\/a> signed from IFK Norrk\u00f6ping for a free transfer. A like for like replacement for Ben Sweat, Th\u00f3rarinsson brings a defensive mindset to NYCFC’s backline.<\/p>\n

Familiar Foes:<\/h3>\n

The schedule is not an unfamiliar one for NYCFC, who take on the Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire, and Orlando City for their group stage matches<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While they aren’t taking on inexperienced clubs like Nashville SC and Inter Miami in their group stage, City has proved to be exceptional in the past vs. their opponents.<\/p>\n

New York City has a combined record of 18-10-10 vs. their three opponents heading to group stage play. A consistent record in such an unfamiliar tournament.<\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/h3>\n

Given how NYCFC started in 2020, I am very cautious about how high their ceiling should be. That said, I’ve always believed that depth off the bench is key to the success of a tournament-style format.<\/p>\n

Add with it the fact that they retain the star-studded attack that carried them last season, and you could say the ingredients are there to make a deep run in this tournament.<\/p>\n

I’ve got them finishing 2nd in Group A, behind a very underrated Philadelphia Union squad. Followed by at least one knockout stage victory before faulting in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>