New York City FC have added five players to their roster in the summer transfer window.
Two of those players -- Andoni Iraola and Angelino -- already have two matches under their belts for the Club. Iraola, an attacking right back, and Angelino, an offensive left back, have provided New York City FC with attacking options on the flanks.
In last week's 1-0 loss at New England, both outside backs had a pair of crosses each going forward. Iraola had three tackles, while Angelino had two.
"I think they’re adjusting pretty well," head coach Jason Kreis said. "You know there are some fitness issues they need to build into. Those fitness issues are solved by playing matches. We’re heading in a positive direction with both players. Both are getting themselves in positions in the attacking half of the field we want them in. Both are still adapting to how exactly we want to defend, so it’s a little bit of a work in progress, but I feel good about it."
Iraola made his debut start for the Club in the 4-4 draw with Toronto FC on July 12. Angelino came on as a second-half substitute in that match for his first professional appearance.
Another Tough No. 10
New York City FC have the tough task of trying to defend and limit Brazilian midfielder Kaka today.
The 2015 MLS All-Star Game captain leads Orlando City SC with nine goals in his debut season in the league. Kaka scored in the 91st minute to secure a 1-1 draw as the two clubs met in Week 1 on March 8.
"Another tough No. 10," Kreis said. "I feel every team in the league has one guy playing in that position who can hurt you – (Lee) Nguyen last week, (Sebastian) Giovinco the week before. We have to continue to try to improve our limiting of what those players can do and that comes from a collective effort."
Name |
Club |
Goals |
|---|---|---|
Kei Kamara |
Columbus Crew SC |
14 |
Sebastian Giovinco |
Toronto FC |
12 |
David Villa |
New York City FC |
10 |
Robbie Keane |
Los Angeles Galaxy |
9 |
Kaka |
Orlando City SC |
9 |
Absentees
Aside of the standard injury report, both New York City FC and Orlando City SC are without key pieces for tonight's match.
New York City FC midfielder Mix Diskerud is with the United States National Team, who played Panama in the third-place match of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday. The Club is also without defender Jason Hernandez (yellow card accumulation) and midfielder Ned Grabavoy (red card suspension).
Orlando City SC are without midfielder Cristian Higuita (yellow card accumulation). Rookie forward Cyle Larin, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, will be available after Orlando City SC successfully appealed his red card and suspension on Wednesday.
Key Numbers
- Orlando City SC has one win in their last five matches and have been shutout three times during that span.
- David Villa and Kaka are the only players in MLS with at least nine goals, 330 completed passes and 800 overall touches.
- Orlando City SC are averaging 1.6 points per match when both Darwin Ceren and Cristian Higuita start and 0.9 points per match when one or both don't.
- David Villa has had at least 50 touches in every match but one since June 1.
