Patrick Vieira has made three changes to his lineup for the visit of the Colorado Rapids.
Ronald Matarrita, Ebenezer Ofori and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi come into the XI as the three alterations from the side which took on LAFC last weekend.
Maxime Chanot didn’t quite make it in time after missing last weekend's game with a mild injury, meaning Sebastien Ibeagha retains his place alongside Alexander Callens, while Ofori starts alongside Alex Ring and Maxi Moralez.
There will be a pre-game celebration for 402-goal David Villa before kick-off, as we pay tribute to El Guaje’s goalscoring achievements throughout his career, so keep it locked on our social channels for clips and pics.
You can watch the game live on YES Network, or tune into audio commentary in English and Spanish on NYCFC.com/Radio.
NYCFC XI: Johnson; Matarrita, Callens, Ibeagha, Herrera; Ofori, Ring, Moralez; Berget, Villa, Tajouri-Shradi
SUBS: Stuver, Hontondji, Sweat, Tinnerholm, McNamara, Wallace, Medina
Key Stats
- This will be just the fourth meeting all-time between NYCFC and Colorado. The Cityzens have yet to taste defeat against the Rapids (1W-2D) – the lone win coming in a 5-1 thrashing at home in 2016.
- After starting the season by winning five of their first six games, NYCFC has won just one of their last five league games (2L-2D), allowing an average of 2.4 goals per game.
- The Rapids have lost four straight league games, getting outscored 8-2 in the process. They have not lost five straight since Apr. 9-May 5, 2017 (35 games since).
- NYCFC have conceded six headed goals this year, the most in MLS. Colorado have conceded just one headed goal so far this year, tied for the second fewest in the league.
- Yangel Herrera has been fouled an average of 3.1 times per game this season, the fourth most of any MLS player.
- Colorado had 58.7% of the ball against the Red Bulls last Saturday, their highest percentage of the season so far. They only played four games in 2017 in which they had more than 58% of the ball.
- Édgar Castillo won four fouls against the Red Bulls last weekend, just the fifth Rapids player to do so in a MLS match since the start of last season.
- Jack McBean’s goal last weekend was his first in 15 MLS games, and just his fifth goal in 43 MLS regular season appearances dating back to his debut in October 2011.
- NYCFC blocked 12 shots against LAFC on Sunday, just the fifth time a team has blocked 12+ shots in a regular season game since the start of the 2010 season.
- Maxi Morález has created 21 chances from open play this season. Only four players enter this weekend with more.
