New York City Football Club have a Hudson River Derby on Sunday against Red Bulls.
Here are the Keys to the Match presented by Ford.
Welcome Back
NYCFC did a fantastic job of navigating the tricky midweek trip to Frisco, Texas.
Héber’s solitary goal was enough to nab the victory on the night as he replaced the suspended Taty Castellanos. The Argentine’s return to action gives Interim Head Coach Nick Cushing more options in the final third.
That strength and depth is a major asset and offers the possibility of starting both men or rotating the pair when seeking fresh legs. Either way, it’s never bad to have two in-form forwards ahead of a big derby.
Keep Your Cool
The intensity of a derby match can make for a unique experience.
Three points are on offer for both teams, but what can feel more important is the bragging rights attached to victory. Such intangibles can make the finest of margins even more important,, causing yellow cards to mount and reds to follow.
In reality, players are best served focusing on setting the right foundation by taking care of their first tackle, the first pass, and building a momentum from there. In the heat of battle, keeping cool can be the most important attribute to have and chances are that quality will be tested on Sunday.
Prepare To Be Pressed
It’s a well-established fact: Red Bulls like to press.
The benefits of a high-pressing approach allow a team to win turnovers in dangerous areas and create chances in the space left behind. While it can be effective it is laced with risk, especially against a team eager to pass through the lines like NYCFC.
No team can press for a full 90 minutes, and if a team can ride the wave of pressure they can emerge and begin to take control of the game. It’s not easy, but it is possible.
