Head Coach Patrick Vieira has made one change to his lineup for NYCFC’s Home Opener against DC United.
Ethan White comes in for RJ Allen at right-back as the only alteration from the XI which started against Orlando on Week One.
Vieira explained: “It’s not a statement, it’s not a message I want to send to RJ. It’s just a decision I’ve taken for this game, taking into account the opposition and what I want from the team, especially for that position.
“Not having RJ today we’ll be losing something but having Ethan we’ll gain something on the other side of the game.”
That means Vieira fields the same midfield three of Maxi Moralez, Andrea Pirlo and Alex Ring which helped NYCFC dominate possession in Florida, with Rodney Wallace and Jack Harrison providing the width on either side of David Villa.
Sean Johnson retains his place in goal behind a center back partnership of Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens, with Ronald Matarrita at left-back.
On the bench, Jonathan Lewis and Ben Sweat make the squad for the first time and are both in line for debuts.
Patrick also hinted that he could field Lewis after being impressed with him in training this week.
He added: “I think it all depends how the game will go but I was really pleased with how he’s performed in training since he’s come back from international duty. We picked him up in the draft and were strong to get him because we believe in him."
NYCFC are chasing their first points of the season, while DC United come into the game off a goalless draw with Sporting KC last weekend and field ex-NYCFC striker Patrick Mullins up top.
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NYCFC XI: Johnson, Matarrita, Callens, Chanot, White, Pirlo, Ring, Moralez, Wallace, Harrison, Villa (C)
NYCFC Subs: Johansen, Sweat, Brillant, Herrera, McNamara, Lewis, Okoli
