Major Keys vs. Seattle Sounders
All Hands to the Pump
Almost…
It was good news on the injury front this week with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jo Inge Berget making their returns to the field in the 63’ and 88’ minute respectively in the 2-0 victory over Orlando.
The fact that NYC has won four on the bounce without two of their most potent attackers is fantastic, and even greater when paired with the absence of talismanic captain David Villa.
A healthy Isi and Jo should only add to the goals.
In The Middle
Alex Ring will start his All-Star break a bit early having picked up a yellow card suspension during the closing moments in the Magic Kingdom.
Formation aside, there will be increased pressure on Ebenezer Ofori to continue his awesome run of form, cleverly linking play going forward and disrupting danger heading Sean Johnson’s way.
Lockdown D
The shutout streak sits at 398 minutes and counting… a club record.
While Sean Johnson was immense on Thursday, he’ll be the first to praise the team in front of him when it comes to analyzing this recent clean sheet streak…
Up For It
NYC will be looking for their second win at CenturyLink field, one of Major League Soccer’s toughest places to play.
The Boys in Blue tend to do well in these types of games thus far, having won and earned results away to Orlando, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, both LA teams etc.
You’d be wrong to think our guys don’t get up for it as an away team in front of a big crowd.
Don’t expect that to change during the national TV window on a Sunday evening.
Performance is Paramount
While NYCFC fans the world over rejoiced at taking three points on the road for the first time in a bit, the manager wasn’t feeling it.
3 points is fantastic, and Dome has shown his tactical awareness to change the way we play when the competition calls for it, but still he wants more from the boys.
Will he get it Sunday?
Only one way to find out…
