Tag: Lineups

NYCFC vs Red Bulls: Preview

The season is nearly ending. Well, the regular season, that is. And if NYC don’t get their shit together then these 12 games will be the only ones left.

Frankly, it’s probably better we don’t make the playoffs. This team isn’t quite ready to compete for a title, and throwing us in the playoffs could just be depressing. Better off we have the break, flesh out who the hell is playing for this team, and figure it out.

But we also have three DP’s who aren’t getting any younger. Oh well.

Give It The Best You’ve Got

At this point, we’ve lost to the Red Bulls twice this season, quite comprehensively (in terms of quality of play) on both occasions. This derby could start becoming like Manchester United vs Man City, in the days when City were fielding such legends as Jo and Roque Santa Cruz, before the money came in. Which is ironic because they own us. Shouldn’t all this money we’ve invested have us doing better? Ah, the perils of an expansion club. As QPR know all too well, you can’t just blindly throw money at footie and expect results. But then again, QRP never had Pirlo.

Point being, let’s give ’em a run for their money. Sure, we desperately need the win, the three points, and some semblance of local dignity, but most of all we just want to play the best football we can against a side that is doing pretty well right now.

Lineups

NYRD (4-2-3-1): Robles (GK), Lawrence (LB), Miazga (CB), Perrinelle (CB), Lade (RB), Martins (CM), Dax (CM), Grella (LM), Kljestan (CAM), Sam (RM), B. Wright-Phillips (ST)

-Bradley’s brother, Shaun, could start wide, but manager Jesse Marsh has made it fairly clear that the players in this lineup have earned their place and Shaun will have to do the same.

-New DP signing Gonzalo Veron is not expected to start, but will likely come off the bench. The 25-year-old Argentine winger is an interesting prospect, with certain talent and creativity, yet his sub-par goalscoring record and injury concerns throughout the years means it will take time to convince the Red Bulls faithful that he’s worth a coveted DP slot.

-Defender Ronald Zubar is out with a quad injury.

NYCFC (4-2-3-1): Saunders (GK), Iraola (RB), Mena (CB), Facey (CB), Angelino (LB), Pirlo (CM), Jacobson (CM), McNamara (LM), Lampard (CAM), Mix (RM), Villa (ST)

-While Lampard surely doesn’t deserve a starting berth over Poku from last weekend’s performance, it’s Lampard and he’s gotta play. It’s possible we’ll see Lampard come on in a holding role as he did as a sub, thus allowing Poku to play. The issue arises, then, who’s the defensive cover in the midfield?

-Wingert’s got a hamstring problem so he won’t play. Khiry Shelton somehow is STILL injured, with a left quad problem. MAYBE he makes the bench, but don’t count on it. Oh, how we do miss him.

Final Thoughts

As mentioned eariler, this is a big game for NYC for all the obvious reasons. It’s the last Hudson River Derby of the year, so let’s hope NYC can give us something to cheer for.

PS If Ned Grabavoy plays at any point, I quit.

NYCFC vs Montreal Impact: Preview

On Saturday, August 1st the Montreal Impact will visit Yankee stadium for the second time this year, with kickoff around 2pm.

Form

Montreal are doing unusually well, with a two-game win streak, which is considered something special here in the MLS. They most recently beat the Seattle Sounders in Canada, winning one-nil with a late goal in the 88th minute to seal the win. Granted, Seattle didn’t have Dempsey or Martins and have been on a deeper spiral down than Dante’s inferno, but hey, a win is a win.

If there’s one thing we can say about NYCFC these past few weeks is that it hasn’t been dull. A 4-4 game at home draw versus Toronto. A 5-3 home victory against Orlando City. It’s amazing how many goals we’re scoring, but to be letting in this amount of goals should be making our defensive coaches (if we have any) blow their fucking brains out in the shower. I mean, really. The good news is, we have Pirlo. And if that last 30-something minutes is anything to go off of, we’re in good shape. Our attack has been firing quite well, with Villa enjoying a purple patch, Poku getting playing time and oodles of assists, and McNamara somehow doing good things. Not too bad.

Lineups

Montreal (4-2-3-1): Bush (GK), Gagnon-Lapare (LB), Ciman (CB), Lefevre (CB), Reo-Coker (RB), Bernier (CM), Donadel (CM), Mallace (LM), Piatti (CAM), Duka (RM), Oduro (ST)

-Undoubtedly the biggest question mark over this lineup is whether or not Drogba will feature. While still waiting on his work permit and not having trained with the squad, it’s near impossible that he’ll play.

NYCFC (4-2-3-1): Saunders (GK), Angelino (LB), Facey (CB), Hernandez (CB), Iraola (RB), Jacobson (CM), Pirlo (CM), McNamara (LM), Poku (CAM), Mix (RM), Villa (ST)

-Firstly, this is a pretty cool lineup. The fact that it’s possible that Kreis will play this team is all too exciting.

-Will Pirlo start? Kreis is uncertain. He has, though, been very impressed with Pirlo’s fitness and his training sessions. Pirlo even trained with the subs on Monday, which was impressive. It seems possible he’ll get the start.

-One of the biggest question marks with Lampard and Pirlo in the team is what to do with Mix. On several occasions he’s played for the US team on the right flank, a position where although he feels less comfortable in, he’s excelled. Trusting Kreis to make the correct decision and play him there for NYC is always a tough endeavor, but the fact that he occupied that position as a sub last week, and scored, should be very encouraging. With all three of those guys on the field in good positions, we could have a lot of fun.

-Wingert is out with a hamstring injury (yay!) so one of either Hernandez or Mena will start. While Mena probably has better technical skills, he looked shaky against Orlando, and Hernandez has experience playing with Shay in the center. It’s most likely Mena needs more time to adjust and Hernandez will get the start.

-Oh, by the way, Lampard should make his debut tomorrow. At this point I don’t even believe myself writing that, but it seems true. He’ll come off the bench, a la Pirlo, probably for Poku, which is his natural position. A big wonder is if there’s any way to ever have Poku and Lampard on at the same time. Most likely that’d mean Poku playing out of position, but while the young Ghanaian deserves better for all the work he’s done for this team, the reality is Lampard won’t be benched and Poku’s gotta fight to stay in. We shall see.

-I guess Khiry Shelton just isn’t an MLS player anymore. It seems he’s had a left adductor strain for months, if that’s even possible. I smell a conspiracy. PS in real news, right back Josh Williams has been picked up by Toronto FC, thus freeing up wage space on our team. Mmmm, juicy.

Final Thoughts

Villa has scored three goals in two games versus the Impact. We’ve already beaten them twice, home AND away. We’ve got a far better team than we did when we won those games. For once, and only once, I’m very confident going into this match. We’re just clearly the better team and we will win.

With us level with Montreal on 24 points, this game is crucial to any hopes either side have of making the playoffs. A win here would be crucial, and we’re set up for it. Let’s see if we can make it happen.