New York City Football club has had quite an inaugural season. Headlining this year has been the signing of multiple European footballer legends. The recent arrival of Andrea Pirlo completed New York’s trifecta as he joined summer signings Frank Lampard and David Villa. The trio now faces an uphill battle, leading NYC in the charge to secure a spot in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
An alteration to the old playoff format is great news for New York City FC as they currently sit on 28 points, good for seventh place. This situates them one spot shy of a playoff birth, even on points but trailing sixth placed Montreal Impact on goal difference. The new format will feature twelve teams, expanding from ten, the format used on the previous four seasons.
The Crew will be visiting Yankee Stadium for the first time this season. The only previous meeting of these foes came on August 19th. In Columbus, New York was led by Ghanaian rookie sensation Kwadwo Poku whose two goals helped them to a 2-2 draw. The match at Columbus Crew Stadium was hard fought and saw current MLS Golden Boot race leader Kei Kamara scored his 18th goal of the season and contribute his 6th assist.
In an up and down season for New York the one constant bright spot has been David Villa. The former Valencia, Barcelona and Athletico Madrid forward has showed his class throughout his first MLS season. A member of 2010 World Cup winners Spain, Villa has scored 15 goals so far this year with 9 during his last ten matches. When New York takes to the pitch this Saturday afternoon, Villa will need to continue his stellar form as they face a Columbus side that is unbeaten in their last three matches.
Among those who stand in their way of bouncing back from a 5-1 lost to the LA Galaxy, is highly rated midfielder Ethan Finlay. The 25-year-old Finlay is in the midst of a brilliant season. His 13 assists positions him second in the MLS, tied with Benny Feilhaber of Sporting Kansas City, while trailing only current leader and Philadelphia Union midfielder Cristian Maidana.
NYC will need to be flawless for the remainder of the regular season. Following this August 29th clash at home they will travel to Toyota Stadium to face FC Dallas of the Western Conference. Including these two fixtures New York has eight matches left on their schedule. If they are able to pick up some favorable results, the final two will be the most important.
October 18th they will visit the state of Florida to face fellow exhibition squad Orlando City SC. Orlando currently sits in eight place of the Eastern Conference, even in points but trailing NYC on goal difference. Following this will be the season finale at Yankee Stadium against another team in the playoff hunt. On October 25th the New England Revolution, currently in fifth of the East, will make a trip to New York City in hopes of having already secured a seat in the playoffs.
Over the course of NYC’s last five matches they have been able to muster only one win, while drawing one and losing three. The pressure is now on boss Jason Kreis to rally his troops and string together positive results as their playoff fate hangs in the balances.
An alteration to the old playoff format is great news for New York City FC as they currently sit on 28 points, good for seventh place. This situates them one spot shy of a playoff birth, even on points but trailing sixth placed Montreal Impact on goal difference. The new format will feature twelve teams, expanding from ten, the format used on the previous four seasons.
The Crew will be visiting Yankee Stadium for the first time this season. The only previous meeting of these foes came on August 19th. In Columbus, New York was led by Ghanaian rookie sensation Kwadwo Poku whose two goals helped them to a 2-2 draw. The match at Columbus Crew Stadium was hard fought and saw current MLS Golden Boot race leader Kei Kamara scored his 18th goal of the season and contribute his 6th assist.
In an up and down season for New York the one constant bright spot has been David Villa. The former Valencia, Barcelona and Athletico Madrid forward has showed his class throughout his first MLS season. A member of 2010 World Cup winners Spain, Villa has scored 15 goals so far this year with 9 during his last ten matches. When New York takes to the pitch this Saturday afternoon, Villa will need to continue his stellar form as they face a Columbus side that is unbeaten in their last three matches.
Among those who stand in their way of bouncing back from a 5-1 lost to the LA Galaxy, is highly rated midfielder Ethan Finlay. The 25-year-old Finlay is in the midst of a brilliant season. His 13 assists positions him second in the MLS, tied with Benny Feilhaber of Sporting Kansas City, while trailing only current leader and Philadelphia Union midfielder Cristian Maidana.
NYC will need to be flawless for the remainder of the regular season. Following this August 29th clash at home they will travel to Toyota Stadium to face FC Dallas of the Western Conference. Including these two fixtures New York has eight matches left on their schedule. If they are able to pick up some favorable results, the final two will be the most important.
October 18th they will visit the state of Florida to face fellow exhibition squad Orlando City SC. Orlando currently sits in eight place of the Eastern Conference, even in points but trailing NYC on goal difference. Following this will be the season finale at Yankee Stadium against another team in the playoff hunt. On October 25th the New England Revolution, currently in fifth of the East, will make a trip to New York City in hopes of having already secured a seat in the playoffs.
Over the course of NYC’s last five matches they have been able to muster only one win, while drawing one and losing three. The pressure is now on boss Jason Kreis to rally his troops and string together positive results as their playoff fate hangs in the balances.
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