New York City Football Club are in Texas on Wednesday to face FC Dallas.
Here are the Keys to the Match presented by Ford.
On The Road
NYCFC have had a somewhat contrasting time on the road of late. Two wins at Minnesota United and D.C. United were replaced by a loss at Philadelphia and a tie against FC Cincinnati.
Going on the road in MLS is never easy for a number of reasons, but for those teams that can find ways to win it can bring big rewards.
Central to those aforementioned away wins was tight defence. If Nick Cushings’ side can use that as the foundation to build from it could be a bright week for NYCFC.
Big Week
Saturday’s win was a big first step for NYCFC.
What follows is a testing week in which the team will take on two road games against FC Dallas and Red Bulls. First is a meeting with Dallas, who themselves sit above the playoff line in the Western Conference.
The two teams played out an enthralling 3-3 tie last season, and you can expect similar entertainment on Wednesday night in Texas. Dallas themselves have a busy schedule with the game against NYCFC sandwiched between two derby games. Dallas tied Houston Dynamo at the weekend and will face Austin FC on Saturday.
NYCFC have their own Hudson River Derby considerations for later in the week, but if they can emerge the week with two victories it will do tremendous amounts not only for the team’s confidence but their attempts to end the regular season atop the Eastern Conference.
The work toward that goal starts Wednesday.
Seize The Opportunity
Wednesday night will see NYCFC navigate the test of FC Dallas without Taty Castellanos. The striker is suspended after collecting a yellow card on Saturday afternoon, and in his absence is an opportunity for a teammate to seize the moment.
Both Héber and Talles Magno are two fantastic options to be blessed with. The former has notched four goals in under 400 league minutes this season, including a brace against FC Cincinnati. The striker's pedigree and sharpness came to the fore in Ohio, and were vital in getting NYCFC back into the contest.
On the other side is Talles. If Héber typifies experience, Talles is the exuberance of youth personified. The teenager has grown considerably since arriving at the Club last year from Vasco da Gama, and can now be considered one of the best forwards in MLS.
His pace and trickery make him a nightmare for defenders, and there is a possibility that Nick Cushing chooses to accommodate both in the starting XI if he wishes. Either way, Wednesday could be the prime moment for one of NYCFC's striking options to seize the spotlight.
