Tommy McNamara returns to the NYCFC XI for the road game at Orlando City SC tonight.
The New Yorker’s inclusion is the only change from the side which started vs. Columbus Crew last time out, as Domenec Torrent keeps faith with the majority of the players who won ten days ago.
Jo Inge Berget and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi both return on the bench but the game comes too soon for David Villa, who misses out entirely through injury.
Up front, Rodney Wallace, McNamara, Jesus Medina and Maxi Moralez will be the creative team, assisted by Ebenezer Ofori and Alex Ring who anchor the midfield.
At the back, Sean Johnson will aim to make it four cleans sheets in a row behind Anton Tinnerholm, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot and Ben Sweat.
The game kicks off at 8pm ET and is live on ESPN or at NYCFC.com/Radio for audio coverge.
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Tinnerholm, Chanot, Callens, Sweat, Ofori, Ring, Moralez, Medina, McNamara, Wallace
Subs: Stuver, Ibeagha, Matarrita, Awuah, Lewis, Berget, Tajouri-Shradi
Key Stats
- New York City has won their last three matches against Orlando, keeping three clean sheets each game (combined scoreline of 8-0). The Lions had won five of the six previous league games between the sides.
- Orlando City has lost 10 of their last 11 games in MLS play (1W). Additionally, they have now conceded in 14 straight matches, their longest streak since joining MLS.
- NYCFC has won five of their last seven games in league play (1L-1D), keeping four clean sheets and conceding just five goals in that time.
- In 1,441+ minutes with Chris Mueller on the field, Orlando City is averaging 1.5 goals per 90. In 499+ minutes without him, that number drops to 0.9 per 90.
- NYCFC have scored 20 left footed goals this year – 50% of their total goals this season, both the highest of any MLS team. They had 24 left-footed goals in 2017 (inc. playoffs).
- Stefano Pinho scored for the first time in 14 MLS appearances against Columbus last weekend. In 536+ minutes with Pinho on the field, Orlando is averaging 1.8 goals per 90. In 1,404+ minutes without him, that number falls down to 1.2 goals per 90.
- In NYCFC’s last game, Maxi Morález became the second player in team history to record 7+ shots and 3+ chances created in a MLS match, joining David Villa.
- Sacha Kljestan has two goals in his last three MLS games, after tallying three in his first 15 for Orlando City.
- Jesus Medina has scored in consecutive MLS appearances after two goals in his first 18 MLS games this season.
- Jonathan Lewis has played 117 minutes so far this season. Of the 165 players who have registered at least two assists this season, Lewis’ minutes total is the second fewest (New York Red Bulls’ Ethan Kutler has two assists in 92 minutes of action).
