Tommy McNamara and Rodney Wallace have both won recalls to the NYCFC XI for tonight’s showdown with Columbus Crew SC.
The pair are restored to the lineup in place of suspended duo Eloi Amagat and Ebenezer Ofori who both serve one-game bans for red cards last time out.
Elsewhere, there’s one more change with Ronald Matarrita back in after his suspension, replacing Ben Sweat who drops to the bench.
David Villa once again leads the line, with Wallace and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi on either side and Maxi Moralez in a supporting role as the no.10.
Alex Ring has McNamara next to him for support ahead of a backline comprised of Anton Tinnerholm, Matarrita, Maxime Chanot and Sebastien Ibeagha.
Kick-off takes place at 8pm at MAPFRE Stadium, with live TV coverage on YES Network and live audio coverage on NYCFC.com/Radio.
NYCFC XI: Johnson, Tinnerholm, Chanot, Ibeagha, Matarrita, Ring, McNamara, Moralez, Tajouri-Shradi, Wallace, Villa (C)
Substitutes: Stuver, Sweat, Awuah, Lewis, Bedoya, Scally, Castellanos
Opta Stats
After going undefeated in their first three games against New York (2W-1D), Columbus has not won in their last five meeting with the Cityzens (3L-2D). NYC’s clean sheet in their matchup in July was the first in the fixture’s MLS history.
Columbus have lost only twice at home this season (8W-3D) – only five teams have fewer. They are averaging 1.9 goals a game at home, being held scoreless just once.
New York has won just one of its last five (2D-2L) after winning four in a row prior. During their winning streak, they didn’t concede once – they’ve allowed ten in the last five.
Columbus Crew SC’s shot conversion rate of 9.0% is the lowest in the league this season. They are the only MLS team with a conversion rate under 10%.
New York City drew last time out 1-1 with the Red Bulls, in spite of having two players dismissed. In doing so, they became the fifth team since the start of the 2015 season gain a point in a match in which they received two red cards.
City’s two red cards in their draw with the Red Bulls last weekend were their third and fourth of the season. They only had one red card last year.
Gyasi Zardes has scored 13 of his 15 goals this year at home. Among the top five goalscorers in MLS, nobody has a higher percentage of goals scored in their clubs stadium (86.7%).
NYCFC have scored seven goals from outside the box this season, tied for the most in MLS. Columbus conceded six goals from outside the box – only four teams have allowed more.
Niko Hansen’s late equalizer against the Chicago Fire was his second goal in 29 MLS appearances, and his first since he scored on his league debut against Portland in March 2017.
Jo Inge Berget had one combined goal and assist in his first 12 NYCFC appearances, but he has six in his last eight MLS games.
