This contest options worldwide icons (however not Frank Lampard); a legendary (short-term) venue; and U.S. nationwide staff stars (however no Jermaine Jones). Clearly, New York Metropolis FC’s residence opener is intriguing.
BY
Brooke Tunstall
Posted
March 13, 2015
1:06 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
ONE TEAM FINISHED final yr as the most popular in Main League Soccer. The opposite didn’t exist this time final yr however grabbed greater than its share of offseason headlines—and never all of them had been good.
So yeah, Sunday’s conflict between the New England Revolution and New York Metropolis FC presents one of many extra intriguing early season matchups and is American Soccer Now’s selection for the MLS Sport of the Week (5pm ET, ESPN2).
THE BASICS
New York Metropolis (0-0-1) is taking part in its first-ever residence recreation at a venue with greater than just a little historical past, Yankee Stadium. That alone is nearly price watching, particularly after Yankees all-star Mark Teixeira and NYCFC coach Jason Kreis obtained right into a media tussle this week about Yankee Stadium getting used for MLS. (Condensed model: Teixeira thinks it sucks, Kreis says too rattling unhealthy.)
NYCFC is coming off a tie with enlargement twin Orlando Metropolis, the place the Bronx Bombers—will we name them that?—had been outplayed a lot of the recreation however practically secured three factors earlier than conceding an unfortunate equalizer off a deflected Kaka free kick that value them two factors.
The Revs (0-1-0) entered the season as heavy favorites to win the Jap Convention then went out to Seattle and obtained curb-stomped by the Sounders in Week One. Granted, Jay Heaps’ staff was with out three of its prime gamers, but it surely must be stated that the staff seemed nothing like a contender at both aspect of the sphere.
By way of regional rivalries, will probably be fascinating to see if one begins to take form right here. The Yankees hate the Pink Sox, and vice versa. The Celtics and Knicks do not get alongside. And if you have not seen just a little one thing additional when the Patriots play the Jets, properly, you have not been watching.
THE SUBPLOTS
When wholesome, New England is as loaded within the entrance six as any staff in MLS. However final week it performed with out midfield common Jermaine Jones, playmaker Lee Nguyen, and ahead Charlie Davies, all of whom had been nursing accidents. Jones remains to be out for this week whereas Nguyen and Davies are reportedly game-time selections. On prime of that, winger Teal Bunbury injured his shoulder towards the Sounders and is uncertain.
All this places added strain on younger attackers like Kelyn Rowe, Juan Agudelo, and Diego Fagundez, all of whom had talent to burn however are nonetheless missing within the consistency division and didn’t appear cohesive final week.
In the meantime, NYCFC’s midfield contingent—together with U.S. worldwide Combine Diskerud and artful veterans Ned Grabavoy and Mehdi Ballouchy—doesn’t lack for creativity and talent. However for all their mixed playmaking means, Metropolis managed just one shot on objective towards Orlando Metropolis.
Whichever group rises to the event Sunday will go a good distance in deciding who takes the factors.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
For NYCFC, all eyes needs to be on former Spain worldwide David Villa to see if he can stay as much as his heralded pedigree, one thing he didn’t come near doing towards Orlando.
Villa has gained a World Cup, a European championship, a UEFA Champions League crown, and myriad home honors in Spain, so he is aware of a factor or two about massive video games. However towards Orlando he went lengthy stretches of the sport with out touching the ball and when he did get it was not often harmful. If NYCFC goes to have success on Sunday, and all through the season, that should change.
Additionally trying to bounce again from a poor Opening Day displaying is Revolution defender Andrew Farrell, who begins this season at heart again after spending his first two years at proper again. To be well mannered, his debut recreation changing A.J. Soares, who left for Europe this winter, didn’t go properly, although Seattle’s assault will take a look at even the most-experienced of defenders.
Farrell has all of the attributes to be a great heart again in MLS however there’s no method to speed up the training curve at his new positon and he’ll must study on the fly. If Villa is on his recreation, Farrell will once more be examined. However Farrell additionally has the energy and athleticism to mark Villa out of the sport.
WORTH NOTING: A DUKIE MATCHUP
Someplace in Durham, N.C., there’ll doubtless be a really observer of the teaching matchup on this contest. That’s as a result of each Heaps and Kreis performed for John Rennie, the retired, longtime males’s coach at Duke.
Apart from a recruiting go to when Heaps was in highschool, the 2 didn’t overlap. Kreis performed for the Blue Devils from 1991-1994 and Heaps from 1995-1998.
PREDICTION
Even when Nguyen and Davies do not play and even when Villa remains to be invisible, there’s nonetheless an excessive amount of attacking prowess from each groups and too many questions on the protection of every for this to be with out fireworks.
The group at Yankee Stadium can be energized and vocal however New England’s expertise and expertise collectively ought to allow them to prevail, for example, 3-2.
Will you be watching this contest? Why or why not? Inform us within the Feedback part under.
Brooke Tunstall is an American Soccer Now contributing editor and ASN 100 panelist. Observe him on Twitter.
