Our road trip is over and the squad returns to the New York area for a month of play across league and open cup competition.
First things first – a midweek tussle with New England Revolution where the boys in blue will look to bounce back from their defeat in Atlanta over the weekend.
Here are our Major Keys to the game…
Bouncing Back… Again
New York City FC made too many mistakes against a good team on Sunday, according to Patrick Vieira.
While the Frenchman was frustrated with NYCFC’s play during the seven-minute blitz by Atlanta that put them three goals clear with only 21’ played, he was “really pleased” with the character and attitude that was shown in the second half – as Ben Sweat and Jack Harrison combined to provide a lifeline with a 71st minute goal.
The squad will look to show that same ‘bouncebackability’ that they have shown all season – successfully avoiding losing two successive games all season and always coming back to win the next one.
The most recent example – the strong 3-0 victory in Orlando after falling to Real Salt Lake on May 17.
Tri-State Trip
The New England Revolution enter leg 2 of their tri-state road trip that saw them fall 2-1 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. Though significantly less distance and 24 hours more to recover – the Revs will also look to combat the Spring / Summer MLS fixture congestion that hits this time of year.
Currently, New England is winless on the road all season.
READ:9 Reasons to Come See NYCFC vs New England
Rotation, rotation, rotation…
Head coach Patrick Vieira said he is likely to make some changes to his lineup for Wednesday evening, though likely not as many as in Salt Lake when NYCFC was in the throws of this most recent pile up of road games.
One certainty – midfield stalwart Alexander Ring will miss out due to yellow card accumulation after picking up his fifth of the season in the 43rd minute vs. Atlanta.
With Philadelphia Union rolling in to town this weekend – expect to see NYCFC’s depth utilized after a grueling travel schedule.
Nifty Fifty
David Villa is on the hunt for the half-century mark of goals for NYCFC. As stellar an accomplishment as that would be on its own, the team will look to the captain to provide some firepower to get back in the win column.
In 2017 David Villa has backed up every start where he has not had a goal or assist with another start where he has tallied in either column – a definite catalyst in NYC’s ability to bounce back from losses so far this season.
His last 90 without a goal before Atlanta was Dallas – which then lead to a brace in Orlando. Could we see goals 50 and beyond on Wednesday?
Home is Where the Heart is
The most major of keys… you.
As Patrick Vieira noted in Atlanta – fans have the ability to turn matches – and it was obvious that the ATL players tapped into the energy on hand at Bobby Dodd Stadium over the weekend to make it “12 on 11”.
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, so the team knows the Bronx will be bumping over the course of the next week to get NYCFC back on the 3 point train.
