Ready the longboats!
Jo Inge Berget makes his New York City FC debut at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Saturday afternoon as the New England Revolution provide the opposition.
The Norwegian international striker leads the line in the absence of David Villa, who is still recovering from a calf injury.
Elsewhere, Ebenezer Ofori makes his first start for the Boys in Blue, replacing Alex Ring, who is away on international duty.
Last weekend’s goalscoring hero Ismael Tajouri-Shradi retains his place in the line-up, while Jesus Medina is on the opposite wing.
Maxi Moralez and Yangel Herrera join Ofori in the midfield three ahead of Maxime Chanot and Alexander Callens who continue to partner up in defense.
Saad Abdul Salaam keeps his place ahead of the returning Anton Tinnerholm, who is fit enough for a place on the bench alongside Brad Stuver, Sebastien Ibeagha, James Sands, Tommy McNamara, Kwame Awuah and Jonathan Lewis.
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NYCFC are going to try and make it four wins from four MLS games in 2018 in this 1.30pm kick-off which will be broadcasted live on YES Network.
Come on City!
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Abdul-Salaam, Chanot, Callens, Sweat, Ofori, Herrera, Moralez, Medina, Tajouri-Shradi, Berget
SUBS: Stuver, Tinnerholm, Awuah, Ibeagha, Sands, McNamara, Lewis
Key Stats
- The Revolution have won three of their four all-time home games against the Boys in Blue, outscoring them 6-3 in the process. This includes a 2-1 win on Oct. 15th of last season.
- New England is unbeaten in their last nine home games in league play, outscoring opponents 19-9 in the process (8W-1D). They conceded multiple goals just once in that time.
- NYCFC is 3W-0L-0D for the first time in team history and have won four consecutive games dating back to last year’s playoffs, which ties a franchise record.
- Both Lee Nguyen and Diego Fagundez have three goals against NYCFC. The rest of the team has combined for four goals against the Cityzens.
- Sean Johnson has made 73 saves against the Revolution, the second most by a keeper against one team since the start of the 2010 season.
- Chris Tierney’s injury time winner against Colorado was his first goal since March 25th of last year, snapping a 23-game scoreless streak.
- City scored twice from two shots on target against Orlando City, the first time this has happened in franchise history.
- Ben Sweat attempted five crosses from open play against Orlando City last weekend, a career high.
- Jalil Anibaba was involved in 15 aerial duels against Colorado, tied for the most of any player in the league so far this season.
- Diego Fagundez has four goals in his last four regular season games, after just one in his prior 18.
