Tag: MLS

The Day After (Red Bulls)

I’ve been contemplating a theory for some time that seems more and more likely with each passing game.

Sure, it makes sense that City Football Group would spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars for a quality MLS team which would play in New York City. That’s possible.

But the more likely story is that this is merely a billionaire’s social experiment. I can see the conversation now: “Let’s pretend to actually build a soccer team, acquire some people who can reasonably pass for professional players, and see how long the masses keep watching before they realize this is simply a very expensive practical joke!”

Damn billionaires.

Passing

Forget that Red Bulls were down to 10 men for almost AN HOUR of that match, and forget that as soon as our two poster boy players were taken off the field we scored a goal, we can’t fucking pass.

For those of you who don’t know, which in this case is NYCFC coaches and players, passing the ball is important in soccer. It’s how you get the ball from one guy with a shirt to the other guy with a shirt. But remember kids, he’s gotta have the same color shirt as you!

Seriously, I usually try to stand up for our boys in blue after mistakes but I am at a loss for words with some of the passing that occurred. I just can’t believe that these guys get paid to do some of the crap that went down last night. Horrible communication between players and a ridiculous amount of misplaced passes. It hurt me physically and emotionally to watch that game.

Damn Ned Grabavoy.

(on to the next one)

Where do we go now? What is the rest of this season look like for us? Will they give us a discount on our season tickets? Will be buy a desperately needed 3rd DP? Would anyone even come at this point? Is Frank Lampard hoping he tears his ACL so he doesn’t have to partake?

I’m not entirely sure what the future holds. But I’m just a guy writing a blog, I can only watch so many shitshows before I lose my mind.

on to the next one.

NYCFC vs Red Bulls: Preview

On Sunday, May 10th NYCFC will hop across the hudson river to play the Red Bulls at 7 p.m ET.

Form

Simply put, the Red Bulls are playing quality football and NYC aren’t.

Barring a recent defeat to New England, the Red Bulls were undefeated until that point.

It’s funny that NYC’s only win of the season came against the only team that has beaten the Red Bulls.

Point is, Red Bulls have a better squad, are playing better, and are a much better team. But this is a derby match. Anything can happen. If NYC go to Jersey looking for blood, the nature of this tie might make that possible.

NYC will need to go out there hungry and smartly if they want a win that could potentially kick-start their poor season.

Lineups

New Jersey(4-2-3-1) : Robles (GK), Duvall (RB), Miazga (CB), Perrinelle (CB), Lawrence (LB), Martins (CM), McCarty (CM), Grella (LM), Kljestan (CAM), Sam (RM), Wright-Phillips (ST)

-Center back Zubar could make his long awaited return from injury, which comes at a good time with Matt Miazga heading off to the U-20 World Cup with the US team.

-Winger Sal Zizzo is out with a fractured tibia, which is a shame as he was starting to put together a good run of form

-Roy Miller is also battling injury, but should make the bench

NYC (4-5-1): Saunders (GK), Williams (RB), Hernandez (CB), Wingert (CB), Brovsky (LB), Jacobson (CM), Ballouchy (CM), Mix (CM), Grabavoy (LM), Shelton (RM), Villa (ST)

-Nemec is still recovering from a left ankle strain but could make the bench.

-Hernandez looks to be ready for the start, but has been dealing with injury issues.

-Javier Calle is unlikely to make the bench as he’s still dealing with a left adductor strain.

Final Thoughts

Everyone’s excited for this one.

The MLS get to hype up a rivalry. NYC get to talk about how we actually play in NYC. The Red Bulls get to talk about how they actually play soccer.

We’re betting on a tie. While Red Bulls will be fancied for all the obvious reasons, in a game of this heat and passion, it’s likely to be a 1-1 game. But let’s hope NYC can get a win, however unlikely.

Godspeed, gents. Godspeed.

NYCFC vs Seattle Sounders: Preview

On Sunday, May 3rd NYCFC host Seattle Sounders in Yankee Stadium at 7pm ET.

The real question is: do we have to?

Form

Sounders are in great form. Recently winning their hotly contested rivalry match against Portland 1-0, Seattle currently sit at third place in the Western Conference. NYCFC are in eighth in the Eastern.

Seattle have over twice as many points as NYC, and have played a game less.

Seattle have twice as many goals as NYC, with a game less.

Seattle have won 3 of their last 4 matches. NYC haven’t won in 6 games.

Simply put, Seattle are playing very well and NYC are playing very poorly.

Lineups

Seattle (4-2-2-2): Frei (GK), Remick (LB), Evans (CB), Scott (CB), Mears (RB), Alonso (CM), Pineda (CM), Neagle (LAM), Pappa (RAM), Dempsey (ST), Martins (ST)

-Seattle don’t have any players injured. Really? Really. None.

NYC (4-5-1): Saunders (GK), Brovsky (LB), Wingert (CB), Watson-Siriboe (CB), Facey (RB), Ballouchy (CM), Mix (CM), Poku (CM), Grababoy (LM), Shelton (RM), Mullins (ST)

-NYCFC have so many injuries and near injury returns that this game seems impossible to predict. Jacobson is out with a suspension, and although a Poku start seems like wishful thinking, there’s some magic in the air and we’re feelin’ it. But that could just be the fumes from the 2nd Avenue subway construction.

-Right back Williams could start at right back, but is battling an adductor strain.

-Villa completed a full session of training on Friday and could make the start, but will at least be on the bench. Unless he stubs his toe on his walk over. Or breaks his hip on an escalator. But yeah, 33-year-old DP’s are great. Good thing Lampard’s bringing in some fresh young legs soon.

-Nemec and Jason Hernandez are battling hamstring and calf strains, respectively. Expect one of them to make the bench.

Final Thoughts

Martins and Dempsey are arguably the league’s best striking duo, and NYCFC have been arguably the worst team in the league the past few games.

That, coupled with the host of aforementioned statistical facts, does not bode well for NYCFC. We’d like to say home advantage will play a part, but NYC haven’t done anything better at home than away for the past few games.

Tickets for this game have been in high demand in the weeks leading up to Sunday. One has to wonder if people are more excited about seeing NYCFC or Clint “Deuce” Dempsey.

Anyway, let’s hope for the best. Realistically we will lose.

Yay NYC!

NYCFC vs Chicago Fire: Preview

On Friday, April 24th at 8pm, NYCFC travel to Toyota Park to take on the Chicago Fire.

Form

Chicago haven’t played a game for over two weeks, and they will hope that doesn’t interfere with their good run of form.

After a dicey start to the season Chicago recorded back to back home wins against Philadelphia and Toronto. Granted, neither of those teams have necessarily lit up the MLS this season, but NYC lost and tied against Philly.

DP and former “free-kick-which-relegated-QPR” taker Shaun Maloney will look to bolster his strong partnership with Chicago native Harry Shipp as they take on a weak NYCFC side. If these two have a strong game together it could be a long night for NYC fans.

NYCFC are on a dismal run of form. Nothing is going right at the moment. Copious injuries, horrible finishing, losing at home, and just overall poor play. It is difficult to imagine NYCFC coming out of Chicago with anything more than 1 point, but then again, this is the MLS. Colorado Rapids did beat FC Dallas in Texas 4 nil. If that’s possible then I don’t rule anything out.

If NYC are to pull off an upset here, they’ll have to play to their potential, and then some.

Lineups

Chicago (4-2-3-1): Busch (GK), Jones (LB), Adailton (CB), Larentowicz (CB), Gehrig (RB), Stephens (CM), Polster (CM), Accam (LM), Maloney (CAM), Shipp (RM), Amarikwa (ST)

-Stephens is struggling with an injury and may be replaced by Chris Ritter

NYCFC (4-3-3): Saunders (GK), Calle (LB), Wingert (CB), Watson-Siriboe (CB), Brovsky (RB), Jacobson (CM), Ballouchy (CM), Grabavoy (CM), Velasquez (RM), Shelton (LM), Mullins (ST)

-David Villa did not train with the team on Wednesday, and looks a doubt. Mix Diskerud could make it back but also looks a doubt.

-Shay Facey is back in training and could get a spot on the bench. Defender Williams is an injury doubt.

-Jason Hernandez is still out, but likely will return for the Seattle game.

Final Thoughts

NYCFC will be looking for inspiration from an injury laden team on a poor run of form.

Kreis may opt to keep his formation, as it did result in the most shots NYC have taken this season. Although Mullins had a very solid game, he often drifted wide in order to pick up the ball and then would cross it into the centre, only for no one to be there. It might be worth hauling off a midfielder for Nemec so Mullins has someone to aim for.

While Chicago aren’t the strongest team in the league, their trio of Ghanian DP Accam, Scottish DP Maloney, and youth product Shipp will probably be too much for NYCFC to handle.

Tune in tomorrow on Univision or their live stream tomorrow at 8pm to find out.

The Day After (Portland)

Last night NYCFC lost 1-0 at home to the Portland Timbers.

So Easy a 7-Year-Old Could Do it

There were a few things I learned when I was first learning how to play footie: NEVER pass the ball across your own penalty box, don’t just kick the ball for the sake of it, and pass to your teammates.

Last night NYCFC broke every single one of those rules.

Jeb Brovsky shanked a clearance in his own box which served as a really nice cross to the other team. Often this season we’ll kick the ball up with no direction hoping something happens. But the worst by far was the level of our passing.

Our Passing/Communication Breakdown

I honestly don’t know what happened. Our passing and movement last night looked as if this were the first time these players were on a field together.

Players would put too much on the ball. Players would under hit their passes and give it right back to the other team. Players would hit passes behind the runs of others, resulting in yet another turnover.

The worst, though, was in attack.  We had opportunity after opportunity in the attacking third to make something happen and the only thing stopping us was our own ineptitude. Fans throughout the stadium were yelling at players like Ned Grabavoy and Khiry Shelton after they made horrible passing errors which would have led to clear goal-scoring opportunities.

Furthermore, there seems to be a genuine lack of communication between these lads. Players are making runs and not getting service, then receive the ball when they track back and are marked by the other team. Positionally players seem confused. For most of the game we didn’t seem to have either a right mid or a left mid. It really feels like once NYC steps onto the pitch we’re somehow down a man compared to other teams.

Anatomy of a Center Mid

Jacobson is a good defensive midfielder. He tackles well, he’s physical, and he reads the game nicely.

But Jacobson is hardly ever going to carry the ball with pace and beat a few guys. And that’s ok, providing our other players do so.

I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but far too many of our players don’t have the ability/desire/know-how to pick up the ball from the defenders, TURN around, beat a player or two, and pass it off.

Granted, top quality players like that are often the most coveted these days (David Silva, Luka Modric, Iniesta) but that doesn’t mean we can’t even try.

Once, Ned Grabavoy picked up the ball in the center of the pitch. He was receiving a pass from our left back. I looked at where he was, he had acres of space. He could have turned around, looked up, done his taxes, and still have time to get a pass off. Instead he took a touch, never picked his head up, and passed it right back to our defender. Effectively doing absolutely nothing. I swear watching this team will be the death of me.

Positives

Shots on goal!

I can’t believe it but we actually had 21 shots in total, our most this entire season.

We’re taking shots, which is great progress. Now we need to work on something I don’t think these boys have ever heard of before: shot selection.

How many bloody times did one of our players have a clear shot and not take it? And then pass it off to some guy in a far worse position for him to take a shot that was never going to score?

But hey, Patrick Mullins was very encouraging. With Villa out injured, Mullins looked a constant threat. He was hustling, taking as many shots as he could, and making really impressive runs towards goal. Take a bow son.

And Kwame Watson-Siriboe. Fucking rock in the back. Won nearly every header. Had some brilliant last ditch tackles. And even had one Varane-esque run into the opposite team’s half. We’d love to see him permanently partnered with Jason Hernandez when he’s back from injury, but Kreis might like mediocre white guys too much to drop Wingert.

On To The Next One

We play Chicago Fire in Chicago this Friday at 8pm.

I don’t even know what to hope for in this game. Keep shooting I guess?

Forget doing a scouting report on how Chicago are, let’s see if we can do anything in training this week to help our team. Otherwise, this is going to be a very long season.

On to the next one?

NYCFC vs Portland Timbers: Preview

NYCFC play their second match in a span of 4 days against the Portland Timbers this Sunday at 7pm.

Form

The Timbers have had an odd start to this year’s MLS season. After 3 consecutive draws against tough opposition (RSL, LA, SKC) they were beaten by the ever impressive Whitecaps. They then bounced back from that loss at home to beat the strong Dallas FC team 3-1, yet lost two-nil at home seven days later against the shaky outfit of Orlando City.

They aren’t playing particularly poorly, but they are certainly struggling for consistency (as with nearly every MLS team). After beating Dallas at home they must have been furious to have lost to Orlando in their own stadium. Some good form would have helped them tremendously for the next few away games. They’ll be coming to Yankee stadium hoping for a win that they can undoubtedly get, but they’ll have to play to their potential.

NYC played some of their best football this season against the Union on Thursday, yet they gave up a stupid goal after some generally lethargic play in the last 20 minutes.

Which leads us to ask: If NYC couldn’t keep their energy up for a full match, will they be able to have any energy for a game with only 3 days rest?

We hope they can. This season is becoming a tricky one for Kreis to maneuver and a home win would do him and the team a world of good.

Lineups

Portland: (4-2-3-1): Kwarasey (GK), Powell (RB), Borchers (CB), Ridgewell (CB), Villafana (LB), Chara (CM), Jewsbury (CM), Asprilla (RM), Nagbe (CAM), Wallace (LM), Adi (ST)

-Nagbe will be a constant threat, as he weaves together the attack of this Portland team. Portland have created many more chances than NYC this season and in order to win this game NYC will need to make sure Nagbe has no space to work.

NYCFC (4-2-2): Saunders (GK), Brovsky (LB), Hernandez (CB), Wingert (CB), Williams (RB), Jacobson (CM), Mix (CM), Grabavoy (LM), Ballouchy (RM), Nemec (ST), Villa (ST)

-Please, dear god, bench Ned Grabavoy. Kreis probably won’t ever do it, but he’s been playing really poorly. He offers no width, no pace, no tricks, his passing has been off, and even his much lauded work rate has dipped as of late. But Kreis loves the guy. Oy vey.

-It’s a shame that Ballouchy scored on Thursday. With Mix back from an impressive display with the USMNT he’ll move into center mid, pushing Ballouchy out right, effectively forcing the ever energetic Shelton to the bench. Which is a shame. Expect him off the bench quickly, he may even start if Villa’s niggling injury keeps him out.

-Poku was brilliant last match and we expect him off the beach early into the second half as well, especially if things aren’t going our way.

Final Thoughts

It will be a very difficult game for NYC, seeing as the past two games against one of the worst teams in league resulted in a loss and a draw.

The team will be tired and will need something special to beat this Portland outfit. We expect a draw.

But expecting anything from NYC is a fool’s errand, as their level of performances fluctuates so greatly that we really have no idea what will happen this Sunday night.

All we can do is wish them luck, hope for the best and maybe a tear of the meniscus for Ned Grabavoy.

Let’s see how it goes.

NYCFC vs Philadelphia Union: Preview

So we play the Union, again. On a Thursday. And then another game on Sunday. MLS.

Form

Last Saturday night we went to PPL Park hoping to take advantage of some poor form from the Philly team. Instead, we gave them their first win of their season with some awful soccer all around.

This game will be fascinating, as so few times in the footie world do you get two teams playing each other back to back in such a short span of time.

Neither team played particularly well in the first match, and you figure NYC will have more desire to win this game. In front of their home crowd, looking for revenge, they seem the favorites. But then again, I thought they’d win in Philly.

NYCFC need to shoot on the rookie keeper that Philly will be starting. A win would be welcome, but some encouraging play would do more. We’re home. Let’s shoot on this keeper, let’s have some smart passing, let’s play some fucking football.

Lineups

Philly (4-2-3-1): John McCarthy (GK), Gaddis (LB), Edu (CB), Vitoria (CB), Williams (RB), Nogueira (CM), Lahoud (CM), Wegner (LM), Pfeffer (CAM), Mbu (RM), Le Toux (ST)

-Philly have said that Le Toux is available after crashing into the advertisements on Saturday.

-Striker Aristeguieta is still an injury doubt, but could be started, replacing Wegner and moving Le Toux to left mid.

NYCFC (4-4-2): Saunders (GK), Williams (RB), Wingert (CB), Hernandez (CB), Brovsky (LB), Jacobson (CM), Grabavoy (CM), Calle/Ballouchy (LM), Shelton (RM), Nemec (ST), Villa (ST)

-With Mix playing Mexico on Wednesday night, NYCFC’s midfield will need a shuffle. Our huge hopes are that he starts Kwadwo Poku, who played an encouraging 90 minutes for the Wilmington Hammerheads (which isn’t saying a lot) this past Sunday. He’d be the perfect spark that NYC have been missing. But realistically, that won’t happen.

-The alternative is to move Ned “I play poorly and I get 90 minutes” Grabavoy to center mid and bring in Calle, Velasquez, or Ballouchy. Unfortunately, Kreis may well opt for Ballouchy as the first two might be considered too “attacking,” especially with Shelton on the opposite flank.

Final Thoughts

Kreis may fuck us over by not starting Poku, by playing Ballouchy, and by generally not changing the squad much.

But we hope he doesn’t. This team played poorly only a few days ago, and new blood is needed to shake things up. Yet ultimately, it’s not even Kreis’s decisions that will hinder us, it’s our play.

We need these boys to step up. Jason Hernandez spoke of this being the perfect time to get back out there and put in a quality performance, let’s see if the rest of the team follows suit.

These are important days for our New York City footie club. Let’s see what they’ve got.

The Day After (Philadelphia)

There’s nothing wrong with a loss once in a while. Teams lose, it happens. Some lose more than others. What matters is how you lose, and my god NYCFC were awful.

David Villa

I love the striker. He’s talented, he’s got goals in him, and he’s a legend for Spain. When I first heard he’d be coming over to the MLS I imagined he’d be wreaking havoc week in and week out.

Although he’s had a few bright spots this season, thus far I’m underwhelmed. For most games he’s had subpar service (especially compared to Atletico Madrid, Valencia, etc). Yet last night he had more than a few clear cut chances that he wasted.

On one occasion he was carrying the ball up the field, with Khiry Shelton making a diagonal run across him, trying to lure some defenders away. He ended up essentially 1v1 with a Union defender. He pushed the ball out to the right hoping to get shot off, got outmuscled, and lost the ball. That’s just poor.

For any other striker in the MLS, I’d be slightly disappointed by this performance. But this is David Villa. He’s supposed to be our X-factor. Villa is supposed to be able to pull something out of nothing. He’s supposed to get that goal when no one expects it.

Right now he’s a fine striker, but nothing else. He’s been alright, we need him to be great. Especially since the rest of this team are playing like schoolchildren.

Two Weeks

NYCFC had two weeks off. I just can’t understand what happened. After our first loss of the season, one would think that Kreis and Co. would focus on fixing some of NYC’s problems.

There’s two possibilities. 1: The coaching staff didn’t do anything for the past two weeks. 2: The coaching staff have tried to improve these problems and the players just aren’t listening.

Realistically it’s a mix of the two, but I do blame the players more. While Kreis made some suspect decisions (keeping Grabavoy on for ANOTHER 90 minutes, not starting Watson-Siriboe, putting on Watson-Siriboe for Josh Williams, which basically did nothing) it’s the players who are showing a blatant lack of determination.

After last week’s loss the players needed a reaction. This was a lethargic response. Poor passing, poor attacking, poor all over the field.

On To The Next One

The rematch against Philly could not come sooner. Of all the ridiculousness uttered by Ian Joy on YES last night, there was on thing he got right. Kreis is now under real pressure to succeed, and the team need a shake up. Maybe that means taking off the untouchable Grabavoy, or simply starting the young starlet Khiry Shelton.

NYC have been given chance after chance to beat lesser teams in the MLS and thus far have failed miserably. This Thursday in the Bronx we don’t even want a win that badly, we just want them to look like they give a shit.

….on to the next one.

NYCFC vs Philadelphia Union: Preview

On Saturday, April 11th NYCFC travel to Philly to take on the Union.

Form 

Philadelphia are playing badly. They have yet to win a game this season and have lost their past three. Their defense has been in shambles and their midfielders often look void of ideas.

However, they were minutes away from a huge away win at Kansas City last Monday, only for Kansas to score two goals in stoppage time. Philly will certainly be encouraged by their almost-upset, but odds are the morale will be depleted after being stripped of the win. It seems, no matter how hard Philly try, they can’t win.

In front of their home fans this time, they’ll hope for better.

NYCFC have had a nice little vacation. Their bye week came at a perfect time, with injuries and disappointing form creeping up on them. Shelton and Nemec are back from duty, Villa, Velasquez, and Williams are back from injury, and Facey is no longer suspended (although reports indicate he is doubtful for the match through injury).

With a near full squad at his disposal head coach Jason Kreis will go into Saturday’s game with a fresh squad that hopefully have been addressing some of the early season issues. NYC have been very inconsistent in their play and will hope to make the best out of a match against very weak opponents.

Lineups

Philly (4-3-2-1): M’Bholi (GK), Gaddis (RB), Vitoria (CB), Edu (CB), Fabinho (LB), Carrol (CM), Lahoud (CM), Wegner (RM), Pfeffer (CAM), Le Toux (LM), Aristeguieta (ST)

-M’Bholi might be benched after a few disappointing games.

-Watch out for Philly’s Venezuelan striker Aristeguieta. He’s on a good run of form, with 3 goals already this season.

NYCFC (4-4-2): Saunders (GK), Williams (RB), Hernandez (CB), Wingert (CB), Brovsky (LB), Mix (CM), Jacobson (CM), Velasquez (RM), Grabavoy (LM), Villa (ST), Nemec (ST)

-While this is most likely what Kreis will play, we’d love to see Poku and Watson-Siriboe get starts after very promising outings from them against Kansas. While there is little to no chance that Poku gets the start, we hope Kreis noticed Watson-Siriboe’s chemistry with Hernandez and will give that partnership a chance to flourish.

Final Thoughts

This looks like a great opportunity for NYC to bounce back from their first loss of the season. The Union have been very weak defending set pieces and winning aerial duels this season, which bodes well for NYCFC’s main tactical plan: “Kick it to Nemec.” Playing Philly twice in the same week means two probable wins, assuming we play well.

And that’s a big assumption, just ask the Colorado Rapids. The Rapids are basically the worst team in the league (no wins in last 18 matches) and they gave NYC a very difficult time.

If NYCFC come out swinging, this game could be wrapped up in the first half. Philly are in a rut of form and we should take advantage. Let’s hope it’s always sunny in Philadelphia for NYCFC.

How To Watch

Ah, baseball. Welcome to NYCFC being co-owned by the Yankees. The match against Philly will be tape delayed (yes- you heard me right) because of the Yankees match against the Boston Red Sox. Let’s go team!

The game will thus be shown an hour later on YES, so turn off your cell phone, Bleacher Report updates and other crap so you don’t hear about Adam Nemec’s strike before you see it.

We’ll see you after the game. Yay baseball!

The Day After (Kansas City)

Yesterday NYCFC lost their first match in their nascent history, falling 1-0 to Sporting KC and Ike Opara’s rising header.

Finally, We Lost

As I was ruminating over this loss last night I came to the odd realization that I was slightly happy.

Granted, no one wants to lose, especially at home, but it’s really about time we lost a game.

Against New England we were more than lucky that they didn’t hit back with a few goals after Villa’s opener. Against Colorado we were awful and were very lucky to leave with a point. We haven’t been playing particularly well, but we’ve been undefeated so it didn’t really matter.

Now that we’ve lost, we can begin some much needed introspection about our play, and realize the changes we desperately need to make. With 14 days until our next match, NYC are in a perfect position to come out blazing for our next game. With all our internationals back, and Facey, Villa, and hopefully Velasquez back, the next two weeks should be used wisely.

The Changes We Desperately Need To Make

NYCFC need to stop making the same mistakes over and over and over.

With Patrick Mullins as lone striker, we repeatedly mistook him for Adam Nemec and kept booting the ball up to him, only for him to be double marked by the center backs and lose the header every time.

An obvious newcomer to soccer at Yankee stadium said it the best: “They keep trying to pass it to him, and it never works! I don’t understand.”

Neither do we, random guy. Neither do we. You’d think they’d stop doing that after the fifth or sixth time it didn’t work, but the problem was they didn’t really have any alternative.

We still struggle tremendously in transitioning the ball out from our defense into the midfield. Mix and Jacobson always check to the ball but almost always pass it right back to the defender, rather than turn and pick their head up. All we’ve really got in our attacking repertoire at present is the “kick and pray” method.

1-800-Left-Midfield

Jason Kreis has repeatedly stated his adoration of Ned Grabavoy. Grabavoy won the MLS Cup with RSL and Kreis says he’s one of the most under appreciated players in the MLS. So, we’ve given him the benefit of the doubt. And yes, he assisted David Villa in the home opener. But we’re really not convinced.

Firstly, it’s his positioning.

Credit: WhoScored.com

Credit: WhoScored.com

If he’s playing left midfield, he’s doing a horrible job. In the heatmap above, not only do you see how clustered our midfield is, you can see how Grabavoy (#11) spends most of his time playing as a central midfielder. Countless occasions last night players turned to their left side, hoping to see a player getting wide, and found that Ned Grabavoy was somewhere in the middle of the pitch.

Add onto this his completely unmarked headed miss in front of goal, and Ned didn’t have a great game.

We’re not suggesting he be immediately dropped. But if he’s playing as a left midfielder, Kreis should really tell him to act accordingly. Furthermore, Ned seems untouchable. He’s played 90 minutes of every match this season. When we’re desperate for a goal, as we were last night, it’s worth pulling him off for a more attack-minded individual.

Kwame & Kwadwo

The biggest positive of this match were the emergences of Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Kwadwo Poku.

Watson-Siriboe was handed his first start of the season as Kreis was forced to shuffle his back line due to the absence of both available right backs. If this was an “opportunity” for anyone to impress, it was him. And he impressed.

Siriboe was dominant in all respects and aside from one lapse in judgment, him and Hernandez were utterly dominant in the air. It’s a testament to these center backs that Dom Dwyer was anonymous for the entirety of the match. Siriboe was tenacious and domineering in his first game for NYC. His impressive chemistry with Hernandez coupled with his brilliant individual display should earn him a starting spot. He was better than Wingert at center back. The defense was better. He should start, it’s really that simple.

With so many midfielders injured or on international duty, Kwadwo Poku was given an unlikely cameo off the bench. All we have to say is: Wow.

Earlier we mentioned Mix and Jacobson’s inability to turn with the ball and carry it with pace. Ladies and gentleman, we give you Kwadwo Poku.

It was exhilarating to see Poku pick up the ball in the heart of the midfield, turn quickly, beat a player or two with some deft touches, and play an attacking through ball. Poku was the catalyst that NYCFC badly needed. Every time he was marauding up the field with the ball, NYC looked like they might score. Truly an inspired performance from the young Ghanaian. He’s said before that he models himself after the Manchester City powerhouse Yaya Toure. After yesterday you can see the potential is there.

We’re yet to see Jason Kreis take too many risks in player selection. Kwame and Kwadwo were shining beacons of hope in an otherwise desolate game from New York City. Will Kreis take notice? We hope so.

On To The Next One

14 days to prepare for the next match away to Philadelphia Union is exactly what NYC need at the moment.

With Shelton and Nemec returning from international play, Facey returning from suspension, Villa, Williams, and perhaps Velasquez back from injury, Kreis will have close to a full squad to work with. After what we hope was an eye-opening loss, NYC have ample time to address some of their issues and bounce back.

They say you learn more from failure than success. Let’s hope that’s true for Kreis & Co.

On to the next one.