NYCFC is officially in the win column for Season 5 and will look to keep the momentum going in a quick turnaround back at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday at 7PM vs. the visiting Chicago Fire.
We want to keep that winning feeling alive, here’s how we’re going to do it.
Hey Hebér
It was NYCFC’s new Brazilian who finished off D.C. United last weekend with the purest of first-time lefty-strikes, making the City faithful’s hearts sing the world-over in anticipation for more.
It was a strong 63 minute shift for Hebér’s first start, who showed off a burgeoning attack partnership with Mitriță & Moralez in particular.
Even with the quick turnaround, New York City’s Football Club should have their #9 ready to rock.
Defensive Triumvirate Triumphs
The emotional moment of the season so far came in the closing stages of that big road performance at Audi Field. – when James Sands and Alexander Callens combined to stop another Quincy Amairkwa run up the right-side and effectively pour cold water on D.C.’s chance of a comeback.
It was representative of an amazing defensive performance for the whole team, one Anton Tinnerholm referred to as maybe the best defensive performance in his time since joining the Club ahead of last season.
And a lot of it was down to a system featuring three powerful yet technical central defenders in Maxime Chanot, James Sands, and Alexander Callens, effectively putting the clamps on Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta, and Paul Arriola while freeing Ronald Matarrita and Anton Tinnerholm to get forward, create lots of opportunities for Maxi Moralez to pull the strings in the final third.
As Dome noted in his post-match media availability, different games call for different gameplans – so we will see how the Boys in Blue lineup to fight the fire.
Health is Wealth
And NYCFC has a wealth of attacking options. But the injury report has Alexandru Mitriță and Ismael Tajouri questionable.
Mitri left the match vs. D.C. United in the 48th minute for failing to recover fully from a first-half knock on the foot, and we won’t know until game day whether he’ll make the squad.
NYC was able to manage with the absences of the previous week’s goal scorers in the District, as Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Taty Castellanos both missed out due to injury.
With Castellanos cleared for take-off after the concussion protocol, NYC should have plenty of firepower to work with on Wednesday night.
BX All Day
Wednesday evening marks the first Borough Night of the 2019 season, where we pay special homage to the community we call home.
The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a collectible Bronx borough pin, The Bronx’s own Renaissance Youth Choir will perform the national anthem, and BX legends Fat Joe and Remy Ma are positioned to let off the smoke stacks to kick off the soccer.
It’s a big match, so let’s bring that big Bronx energy!
Quick Turnaround
Rest, regeneration, and rotation could be keys this week as we enter the thick of a three match in seven day stretch. But first thing’s first when the Fire come to town.
Expansion cousins Orlando City SC are next on offer at the weekend, but with a first home win of Season 5 on the line, it’s time to keep the focus and get down to business.
For. The. City.
