New York City Football Club are on the road this weekend as they take on Inter Miami CF.
The Boys in Blue return to action in a 7:30pm ET kick-off at DRV PNK Stadium.
Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford…
Road Trip
Saturday’s game against Inter Miami represents the first of two big road games for NYCFC. The Herons are on the edge of the playoff picture, and a win at the weekend would put them just two points behind NYCFC.
Slightly further up the table is D.C. United. The Boys in Blue take on United next weekend at Audi Field with the Black-and-Red also chasing a playoff spot.
NYCFC have had a difficult season on the road in terms of results, with the group unlucky not to collect road wins on several occasions in the last few months. Now they have the opportunity to marry a positive performance and a positive result at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday.
Timing is everything in soccer, and there is no better time to pick up two road wins than in the next two weeks.
Midweek Obligations
Inter Miami CF have a busy seven days on their calendar. First up for Tata Martino’s men is a U.S. Open Cup Final against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.
The game represents an opportunity for Miami to add a piece of silverware to their cabinet, and focus will understandably be on that game. Come the weekend, the game against NYCFC will be Miami’s third in seven days.
NYCFC have seen firsthand the physical and mental demands that midweek outings can place on a group of players and staff. The Boys in Blue will be hopeful of taking advantage of that situation to record another win and stretch their unbeaten run to six games.
Tactical Battle
Tata Martino is no stranger to coaching in MLS.
The Argentinian spent a successful period with Atlanta United from January 2017 until December 2018.
One of the interesting habits Martino displayed during that time was a willingness to be tactically flexible. With Miami, Martino has typically utilized a 4-3-3 system, but he has not been afraid to implement a back three or a back five formation when he feels the moment is right.
That makes Miami a difficult team to predict. NYCFC possesses the same shape-shifting ability, and when you combine those two factors, it should make for an enthralling tactical battle.
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