NYCFC are getting ready for their third game of the season going on the road to take on the Colorado Rapids.

How To Watch

We would usually close with the “How To Watch” portion, but we’ve included it at the start because it seems unnecessarily difficult to actually watch this game.

Firstly, the MLS only shows a limited amount of games per weekend. NYCFC were lucky enough to have their first two ever matches televised nationally, but for this weekend’s game, the only TV provider will be the YES network.

NYCFC games on YES are only available to watch in the New York Metropolitan area. Yet, DISH network users in New York can’t watch, as DISH “does not currently have an agreement to transmit these channels.” 

So what to do if you’re a DISH user from New York? Watch online.

But wait! You can’t.

The FOX Sports GO website and app is only available for Cablevision and Time Warner Cable users.

So if you’re a DISH customer head to your local bar and hope they show MLS matches, because otherwise, to quote the great Guy Ritchie film Snatch, you’re “proper fucked.”

Form

It’s not a great time to be a Colorado Rapids fan. In fact, it hasn’t been a good time to be a Rapids fan since July 26th of 2014, which was the last time they won an MLS match.

That’s right. Colorado haven’t won a match for 15 consecutive games in the MLS. Their last match, away to the Philadelphia Union, was a dismal start to what Colorado fans were hoping would be a better season. The Rapids recorded a whooping zero shots on target and a measly two shots off target. Sergio Ramos gets more shots off target per game, and he’s a center back.

Point is, the future (and the recent past) looks dark for the Colorado Rapids. The last thing they need is Spain’s all time leading goal scorer knocking at their door.

NYCFC supporters, on the other hand, are in quite festive spirits. After some nerves in their first ever home and away matches, NYCFC have 4 points and sit at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Granted, they got very lucky to come out of the New England game two nil winners. The match wasn’t pretty, and if it weren’t for a certain 33-year-old bearded Spaniard the game may have been a lot different.

What this means, though, is that NYCFC are looking to improve. Maybe not just kick up to their 6’3 Slovakian and hope all goes well. Jason Kreis will want his team to start implementing some of his methods, and going up against a weak Colorado side seems the perfect time to start.

Lineups

Colorado (4-2-3-1): Urwin (GK), Harrington (RB), Riley (CB), Sjoberg (CB), Burch (LB), Pittinari (CDM), Sarvas (CDM), Sanchez (RM), Ramirez (LM), Torres (CAM), Badji (ST)

-Right back Riley will most likely play in the center, as starting center back Burling picked up a red card against Philly.

-Colorado may drop their starting striker Badji, as they search for someone who can get them some much needed goals.

-The only player to have a quality game against Philly was Sjoberg, the Swedish rookie center back out of Marquette. Standing at 6’7, he was impressive technically and possesses obvious aerial prowess. Look for him to man mark Nemec to nullify a focal point of NYCFC’s attack. Will be an interesting battle.

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

-Don’t expect too many surprises from Kreis’s starting XI, yet he may opt for a more defensive minded player at right midfield, such as Ballouchy. We hope Shelton or Velazquez get the start though.

Final Thoughts

The initial hype is over. No more “First Ever Away Match” or “First Ever Home Match” headlines.

Now it’s time to get to business. The league is past opening weekend fanfare. NYCFC will have to play quality footie every week if they hope to keep the spotlight on themselves and challenge for the MLS Cup.

Let’s see what they can do.