New York City FC at Colorado Rapids: Facts & Figures

New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis said he knows he has a lot of very good soccer players on his team.

The only question mark, according to Kreis, was whether or not all of his players would be committed to defending.

"So far it’s been pretty decent," he said. "Having said that, it’s been nowhere near perfect and nowhere where it needs to be for me. I think we’re continuing to show pleasingly that we care deeply about defending."

Not only did New York City FC register their first-ever victory on March 15, but the Club also chalked up their first shutout in a 2-0 victory over New England in front of 43,507 at Yankee Stadium.
The Club didn't allow a goal for the first 90 minutes of their inaugural match on March 8 at Orlando City SC, but Kaka's deflected free kick found the back of the net in the 91st minute as the expansion sides played to a 1-1 draw.

New York City FC's back line is a plethora of Major League Soccer veterans. Jeb Brovsky and Josh Williams patrol the flanks, while Chris Wingert and Jason Hernandez are the starting center backs.

"It’s four guys who have been in a league for a long time," Brovsky said. "The communication’s great. I think now we’re at the stage where even if we didn’t speak to each other, we know where each other is and where we need to be. I think the relationship is there, it’s growing and now as we get into a groove, we need to take that intensity into every match."

Providing yet another anchor to the defensive unit is MLS veteran Josh Saunders in goal.

"He knows what it takes to win games in this league and he’s won championships as well," Brovsky said. "His voice and his presence back there is huge. Obviously making one huge save per game, if not two, helps a lot. We owe a lot to him as well."

Mile High Drought

Colorado is in the midst of a 15-match winless streak in the league dating back to the 2014 season. The Rapids haven't registered a victory since a 3-0 win over Chivas USA on July 25.

During that stretch, Colorado has been outscored 38-10, giving up three or more goals on seven occasions. The Rapids were shutout in seven of those matches and continue struggling to score -- they are currently in a 330-minute scoring drought.

Here is a look at Colorado's last 15 matches:

Brown goes to Norway

Colorado recently announced the transfer of striker Deshorn Brown to Norwegian side Vålerenga. The sixth overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft led the Rapids in goals in his two seasons with the club, finding the back of the net 10 times each year.

Coach Pablo Mastroeni gave the starting nod to rookie Dominique Badji up front against the Union on March 7.

The Rapids struggled offensively, registering a club-record low two attempts including none on goal.

"I think we are still gelling offensively a bit, still learning each other and so I think that will come but we want to be defensively strong first have that be our base and then sort of develop on the attacking side,” defender Michael Harrington said after the scoreless draw. “We have some very talented players up top, some guys with pace so if it be by the counter to score goals then be by the counter but I expect in weeks to come we will have more of the ball than we did.”

Tree Musketeers

Two Rapids players made history on March 7. Axel Sjoberg and Bobby Burling became the tallest center back duo in Major League Soccer history when they took the field against the Philadelphia Union. Sjoberg, a rookie, stands at 6-foot-7, while Burling is 6-foot-5. Rounding out the "Tree Musketeers" -- a nickname voted on by Rapids' fans -- on the back line is 6-foot-6 Joe Greenspan, the 26th overall selection in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Burling is suspended for today's match after receiving a second yellow card in the season-opening draw at Philadelphia. Shane O'Neill (6-foot-2) is expected to start in his place.