NYCFC is back in the Bronx after a tough loss to Toronto FC, and the team's gearing up to take on yet another Canadian team in Montreal Impact hoping to earn the first victory of Season 5.
As game day fast approaches, here’s the Keys to the Match presented by Tri-State Ford…
Bronx Boogie
Calling all the fans! Your Boys in Blue are back in the Bronx and they need your help as the hunt for this season's first win continues. NYCFC is undefeated at home this season and we hope to continue that streak.
We've welcomed the Impact to the Bronx in five previous matches out of our nine meetings to date, of those five we've only gone down for one loss back in 2015. In our last meeting at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC reigned victorious in a 3-0 shut out win. Can we do it again?
As Captain Alex Ring said at the beginning of the season: “We call it the 12th man for a reason and that’s why we need everyone to show up for every home game this season if we want to achieve our goals, we’re going to need all the help we can get."
Let's pack the house and make some noise as the team strives to get that first win at home, #ForTheCity!
New Addition
First thing's first, Héber's home and in contention to make his first appearance as our #9 on Saturday. He joined the team at the training facility earlier this week to practice with and get to know his new teammates.
As Héber met the team and the staff, he received a warm NYCFC fam welcome, and felt right at home - making new friends and jumping right into training drills.
The striker's arrival comes in time for him to join the team to face Montreal Impact and help bridge that gap between the midfield and hopefully, the back of the net. If Héber's career and history in Croatia is any indication, we have a man who has a clinical eye for goal.
He, and Alexandru Mitriță, in attack could prove to be a dangerous combination for any of our opponents, making the two a very real threat for Montreal.
Héber has big plans in mind when it comes to his new team, in his first interview with NYCFC.com, he said:
"I hope to do great games for NYCFC and help them to win everything they aim to,” said Héber. “On the pitch I’m a player that imposes danger to the opponent inside of the box and will score goals, whenever I’ve got the space for it.”
Stay tuned to see if he makes his debut in blue at Yankee Stadium on Saturday when we announce the Starting XI.
Head-to-Head
Montreal Impact is gearing up to play in yet another consecutive away game after coming off a tough 7-1 loss against Sporting Kansas City. The team retains a 2-2 record and have yet to play a game at home this season.
In our five-year history, NYCFC and Montreal Impact have met in nine previous occasions, of those nine, NYCFC has won five and settled for three draws, only falling to them once.
As we prepare to face the Impact again, both teams are coming off tough losses and are ready to secure a win for their fans. If history is any indication, the numbers are on our side. Now we just have to go out there and give it everything to seal our sixth win of this series against the Impact.
Looking Ahead
Of course, last week's result was not what we were hoping for but it's time to move on, as Dome said in his post-game reaction, “We have to improve the next game and we have to win the game. We have three points out of 12 and if we want to play the playoff, we need to react quickly.”
There's a time to reflect and a time to move forward, now is the time to shift gears and focus on winning games - focus on the next opponent, and not dwell on our last. The MLS season is long, we have 30 games left of the regular season and a lot can happen.
Don't miss out on your chance to be at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, cheering on your Boys in Blue as they make a push for the first win of the season!
