{"id":688,"date":"2016-09-17T14:09:22","date_gmt":"2016-09-17T18:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=688"},"modified":"2016-09-17T14:09:22","modified_gmt":"2016-09-17T18:09:22","slug":"players-to-watch-in-nycfc-vs-fc-dallas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2016\/09\/17\/players-to-watch-in-nycfc-vs-fc-dallas\/","title":{"rendered":"Players to watch in NYCFC vs. FC Dallas"},"content":{"rendered":"
On Saturday,\u00a0FC Dallas<\/strong> head north to take on NYCFC<\/strong> at Yankee Stadium<\/strong> at 7 PM EST.\u00a0 This match could have huge supporters shield implications. FC Dallas currently are a top the Western Conference<\/strong> and Supporters Shield<\/strong> with 51 points, while NYCFC are third in the eastern conference with 44 points.<\/div>\n

Three players who could impact in NYCFC vs. FC Dallas<\/h3>\n

Kellyn Acosta<\/h4>\n
FC Dallas has the best academy program in\u00a0MLS<\/strong>. Their academy has churned out talent, one of the jewels being Kellyn Acosta<\/strong>. Acosta is one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, despite what Jurgen Klinsmann<\/strong> believes. If FC Dallas want to shut down NYCFC’s dangerous offense, Acosta will have to be at his best.<\/div>\n

David Villa<\/h4>\n
David Villa<\/strong> was subbed off in the 63rd minute last game, versus the New England Revolution<\/strong><\/a>. No one knows why he was subbed off. It could just be that Patrick Vieira could want to rest him, or Vieira was disappointed in his performance. Regardless of the reason he was subbed off, Villa needs to play well in order to lead the NYCFC side to victory.<\/div>\n

Andoni Iraola<\/h4>\n
Last game, Vieira opted to rest Andoni Iraola<\/strong> and instead give\u00a0Federico\u00a0Bravo<\/strong> a run out at defensive midfielder. Bravo received a red card that match, so he is ineligible to play. Iraola will have to shield a leaky back line that will be without one of its better defenders,\u00a0Maxime\u00a0Chanot<\/strong>. He will also have to provide that link between the attack and defense.<\/div>\n

When NYCFC are attacking<\/h4>\n
NYCFC need to get the ball to David Villa. Villa has been deprived of good service, but also hasn’t been as clinical with the limited chances he gets. In order for NYCFC attack to get going, they need to have good service into the box.<\/div>\n

When FC Dallas are attacking<\/h4>\n
FC Dallas need to take advantage of the weak NYCFC back line. They need to make sure they get runs that split the center backs and play long balls over the top. Maximiliano Urruti<\/strong> will be the key to that strategy as he is the center forward for FC Dallas. If Urruti can successfully make those runs, NYCFC will have a lot of problems.<\/div>\n
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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n