New York City FC is back in The BX this week to host Columbus Crew for Queens Borough Night.
Here’s Keys to the Match, presented by Tri-State Ford…
Major League Momentum
Mid-august in MLS is no joke. As temperatures rise, so do the stakes.
With the new post-season format approaching, the run into the playoffs is more important than ever.
So it’s a good thing the City Boys are coming off a big win in Cincinnati as we head into a massive week in The Bronx – with Columbus Crew SC coming to town on Wednesday for Queens Borough Night, and the Red Bulls making the trip to Yankee Stadium for the latest chapter in the Hudson River Derby at the weekend.
First things first…
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South American Strikeforce
The burgeoning Héber-Taty partnership is paying big dividends early.
For just the second time in club history, two NYCFC players registered multiple goals in the same MLS game.
In total, the friendly forwards have combined for 21 goals on Season 5 so far, and six game-winners alone.
With two games to come this week, it’s anybody’s guess what Dome will do with regards to squad rotation – but with Taty, Héber, or both on the pitch, the chances will be put away.
Play Brave
“Play brave” was the mantra coming out of the tough loss away to Atlanta a couple of weeks back. The message was apparently received – with City showcasing bravery and courage in the way they maintained a level head, came back, and ultimately dismantled FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium.
The mantra boils down to this: if we play our game, we are very hard to beat.
It all starts with playing simple, playing short, and taking advantage of the spaces created.
A return to the friendly confines of The Bronx off the strength of a 4-1 win on the road should provide the perfect platform for NYC’s most beautiful stuff to return.
Coming In Hot
Columbus has been brutally bitten by the injury bug this year, but they come in unbeaten in their last six matches.
The dangerman to watch could very well be Pedro Santos. It’s his two year anniversary in the league, and defenders are certainly used to the name by now, as he’s been fouled more than any other MLS player in the final third since that time.
Santos has nine goals, 53 dribbles completed, and forty-five chances created on the season.
Let’s keep an eye.
Queens Borough Night
It’s Queens Borough Night - and the first Bronx date in a minute – with five of the next six to come at Yankee Stadium. Let’s start the homestand off on the right foot. Pull up!
