New York City FC hope this past weekend’s bye provided an opportunity to re-evaluate and refocus as the Club heads into the final two months of their inaugural campaign with a berth in the Major League Soccer playoffs still the goal.
“I think it was important to have a weekend off,” head coach Jason Kreis said. “The players put in some real hard work for four days last week and to be able to walk away from it for a couple of days and think about the opportunity that lays in front of us I think was important for us.
“This week has been good; everybody’s focused. I’m hopeful we have a real positive reaction this weekend.”
New York City FC ventures to the Lone Star State for the first time in Club history for Saturday night’s match against FC Dallas. Kickoff is 8:30 p.m. ET from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (YES Network, FOX Sports Go, 970 AM, WADO).
“I look at this as a tremendous challenge and opportunity for us to do something truly special which is win enough games to make the playoffs,” Kreis said. “I think we have the talent and I hope we have the desire.”
“It’s very important,” midfielder Mix Diskerud said. “Everyone understands the significance of this game. It’s a game we of course want to win. We have to give 100 percent and everything we have.”
New York City FC sit ninth in the Eastern Conference at 7-13-7 (28 points). Montreal (9-11-4) is in the sixth and final playoff spot at 31 points with Philadelphia (8-14-6; 30 points), Orlando City SC (7-13-8; 29 points) and Chicago (7-14-6; 27 points) also in contention for a playoff berth in the season’s waning months.
FC Dallas enter this weekend’s contest at 13-8-5 (44 points), sitting third in the Western Conference – three points ahead of Seattle, Sporting KC and Portland, who are all at 41 points.
“Everything from here on out is very important,” New York City FC midfielder Kwadwo Poku said. “This game is really important if we want to make it to the next level. Everybody is ready. We are ready for it.”
New York City FC are currently on a two-match losing streak – 2-1 vs. Columbus Crew SC on August 29 and 5-1 at Los Angeles Galaxy on August 23 – following a two-match unbeaten stretch, highlighted by a 3-1 victory over Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United on August 13.
The focus for the Club is putting together a full 90 minutes of play while implementing the attacking and possession-based style of play.
“It’s been a quest we’ve been on the entire season,” Kreis said. “I think every team is on that quest to put together a perfect match and play 90 minutes at full intensity with full commitment and full focus. It isn’t the easiest thing to do but I think we have to continue to strive toward that goal and hopefully it will come at the right time.”
FC Dallas have recently switched to a 4-4-2 formation and it’s paid dividends with consecutive victories – 3-0 at Columbus on September 6 and 2-0 vs. Real Salt Lake on August 29.
Forward Fabian Castillo leads the club in both goals (nine) and assists (six), while midfielder Mauro Diaz, who is questionable with right quad tightness, has five goals and six assists.
Rookie goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, who is filling in for Dan Kennedy, is 2-1-0 in his first three starts in MLS. Gonzalez has allowed just one goal in those three matches with eight saves on nine shots on target. Gonzalez also has a pair of penalty kick saves.
New York City FC are refreshed and champing at the bit to get back on the field for this stretch run beginning against FC Dallas.
“We’re feeling good and we’re feeling really sharp,” said Poku, who is tied for a team-leading seven assists. “Coming off the loss (vs. Columbus) wasn’t easy, but we’re putting it behind us and focusing on Dallas.
“If we play harder and give everything we have, the rest will take care of itself.”
