New York City FC are looking to get back to winning ways against FC Dallas on Tuesday night.
Here’s the Keys to the Match, presented by Tri-State Ford…
Pepi Watch
Ricardo Pepi is undoubtedly one of FC Dallas’ danger men, with the teenager enjoying a breakout campaign in MLS. The 18-year-old currently has 12 goals in 21 games, which equates to just over a third of Dallas’ goals in MLS this season.
He celebrated his U.S. Men’s National Team debut with a goal earlier this month, and it will be important that the NYCFC defence marshalls him well. The striker has a strong poacher’s instinct, and his strength this season has come from scoring a variety of goals.
Widen The Gap
The MLS regular season is now well over halfway through, and the race for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference is hotting up. Five points separate New York City FC in fourth place and Inter Miami CF in ninth.
All of those teams will feel able to secure a playoff spot, and that’s why it’s vital NYCFC cement their spot in the postseason as soon as possible.
The Boys in Blue have played the fewest games among teams currently in a playoff spot, and a win on Tuesday will put them a point behind Orlando City in third.
Taty Sits Out
Taty Castellanos has been an important figure for NYCFC this season, contributing 18 goal involvements.
That saw him awarded MLS Player of the Month for August, but he will sit out the game against FC Dallas after collecting a yellow card on Saturday against New England Revolution.
That leaves an important spot in the starting XI open. Ronny Deila has several potential options including Talles Magno, Thiago Andrade, and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi.
Which one - or combination - he opts for will make for an interesting viewing experience, and should give a greater insight into how the team’s striking depth chart looks.
