There is likely to be a familiar face in DC United colors on Sunday afternoon.
Patrick Mullins is expected to lead the line for the visiting team in NYCFC’s Home Opener and his former teammate Tommy McNamara knows all about the threat he can pose.
The 25-year old forward has been a revelation since swapping New York for the capital in July 2016, scoring eight goals in 12 starts for Ben Olsen’s men in 2016.
McNamara is pleased that the move has worked out so well for his friend but hopes that the familiarity between NYCFC and the DC United striker will work out in the home team’s favor on Sunday.
McNamara told NYCFC.com: “I’m happy for Pat – I’m happy that things are working out for him so well. He’s done very well there and he’s one of my good friends.
“Last year he did very well for them when he moved and this year he’s leading the line – he’s the guy they’re looking to, to score a lot of their goals, so we must be wary of him. A lot of us have played with him and kind of understand some of his movements, so hopefully that benefits us.”
Tommy believes that the home fans have a huge role to play on Sunday and revealed how excited he is to be back in the Bronx.
Coming off the back of the defeat at Orlando where McNamara made his 50th appearance for NYCFC, the midfielder is hopeful of clinching a first W of 2017.
He continued: “I’m very excited – it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to play a game at Yankee Stadium. Obviously, we’re disappointed at how it ended last year but it’s a new season and we made a lot of exciting additions this year. I can’t wait to see all of our fans again.
“The fans are crucial in this sport – you see it time and time again.
“Looking back on last season there were plenty of times where the fans got behind us in games and it really pushed us on to tie up matches late and then to eventually get game-winning goals even later.
“They’re crucial and they’ve been here for us since the start of the club. I’m excited to see it continue to grow.”
Tommy was speaking on top of the Empire State Building which will be lit up in NYCFC blue on the night of March 12 as the city gets behind its soccer team once again.
He added: “It’s huge – we want to be connected with the community in various different ways and the Empire State Building is one of, if not the, most iconic parts of New York City.
“To light it up in our colors just shows the kind of relationship that’s developed between us, our fans and the city itself.”
