Photo by Adam Hunger/USA Today Sports
By MICHAEL PENG
On paper, the names on New York City FC’s roster glisten. On the pitch, however, they have yet to match the bright lights of the Big Apple.
It has been a couple of weeks since NYCFC was made available to all of its players, particularly the Designated Players in Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo, but the club’s performances on the field since then have yet to match the expectation with a roster of this caliber.
Lampard and Pirlo made their first starts together a little over a week ago but were given a rude welcomes by the rival New York Red Bulls. The cohesion and chemistry was clearly lacking at some points during the contest, but that was expected for a couple of players that had just joined the team.
Throw in the fact that Lampard has been dealing with a couple nagging leg injuries for the better part of the past month while Pirlo remains in early-season form, certain mistakes can be chalked up. But with the season heading into the stretch run, everyone on NYCFC — not only Lampard and Pirlo — need to find a way to gel better if they want to reach the playoffs. And it’s up to head coach Jason Kreis to figure out how he can maximize the tools at his disposal.
The first and foremost concern has been the defense, which has struggled all season long despite the numerous changes it has gone through. Kreis has thrown out more than a dozen different backlines this season and seems yet to decide on the one constant. However, few players have shown they are capable of playing top-notch defense at times, and it could just be a matter of playing guys where they thrive on the most.
The centerbacks have featured a couple of regulars in Shay Facey and Jason Hernandez, both of whom have performed adequately on the season, and certainly better than the alternatives in Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Jefferson Mena. However, things get a little fickle when it comes to the fullbacks.
On the left side, Angelino has fared well during his short stint thus far, but one has to wonder what would happen once the injured Chris Wingert — who had been a staple on the backline for Kreis this season — returns in a few weeks.
Angelino brings an attacking mindset with his abilities to run and distribute the ball, but he tends to play up the pitch a bit too often at times and that may not be what NYCFC exactly needs at the moment given the team’s struggles defensively throughout the season.
Longtime La Liga veteran Andoni Iraola has been solid on the right side since he joined the club in July, but R.J. Allen has been making the most out of the opportunities given to him and, after another solid performance against D.C. United last week, could be pushing for more minutes if he keeps up.
Chances are Kreis will stick with his fullbacks for the meantime while giving Wingert the starting job back once he’s healthy. Angelino could be kept on the bench until NYCFCÂ needs to press and attack more and Iraola should also hold onto his position until Allen proves he is clearly the better option on the right side.
As for the crowded midfield, Kreis has plenty to work with, but with few matching positions for his players.
If Kreis sticks with the 4-5-1 formation, then Pirlo is certain to be sitting in the holding position, while Mix Diskerud will be (and has been) played out of his natural position.
Diskerud has been tested out on the wings a bit as of late but with little success, and a speedier and more physical player may be better suited for that position. Cue the chants for the fan-favorite Kwadwo Poku?
Poku had a sensational game against D.C. and upped his season total of assists to a team-leading seven during the contest, despite making just four starts. His physical prowess and tenacity is often too much for defenders to handle, especially when working with the creativity of David Villa, and leaving him as a super sub does not do the team too many favors. A Poku in a slightly more advanced role, either centrally or on the wings, could cause matchup nightmares for opposing teams.
As for Diskerud, moving him next to Pirlo would be a potential scenario, given both players’ tendencies to spray passes over the pitch and to control the tempo of the match with their possession of the ball. Andrew Jacobson currently claims that spot next to Pirlo, as he has throughout the season with regular first-team minutes, but his impact is very limited to his defensive responsibilities.
However, if Kreis does opt to move forward with Jacobson on the bench, NYCFC could have major issues defensively. Having already been plagued by plenty of defensive blunders, removing the Jacobson safety blanket may prove suicidal as neither Pirlo nor Diskerud provide enough defensive cover.
One player who has made a huge impact this season, however, is Tommy McNamara. Coming off an ACL injury, McNamara has been more than just a pleasant surprise for NYCFC as he notched five goals and three assists for his homestate club, affirming a consistent spot in the starting lineup after having to earn his minutes early in the season.
That leaves Kreis with a potential option of playing an attack-minded midfield three of Poku, McNamara and Lampard behind Villa, while Pirlo and Diskerud lie deep. Or, if defensive issues persist, Jacobson could keep his spot next to the Italian, while leaving Diskerud to battle for a place higher up the field.
If this crowded midfield can be sorted out and the backline can find some consistency, then NYCFC should have an easier time winning close games, rather than having Villa bail them out in goal barrages.
The talents on this team can be overwhelming, but that won’t mean a thing until they can prove it on the pitch.
Here’s a closer look at potential lineups for NYCFC going forward:
               Villa
McNamara —— Lampard —— Poku
             Diskerud —— Pirlo
Angelino — Facey — Hernandez — Iraola
                       Saunders
—
                        Villa
Diskerud —— Lampard —— Poku
           Jacobson —— Pirlo
Angelino — Facey — Hernandez — Iraola
                      Saunders
Which players do you believe make up the ideal NYCFC lineup? What do you expect Kreis to go with going forward? Which players deserve more time on the field?
Share your thoughts below.
I know it sounds crazy but why doesn’t anyone suggest making lampard a strike partner with villa. Take one person out of the midfield that doesn’t give you defensive help, but he can atleast high press
Amazing to me how intent MLS is to shoehorn a team into New York City. The best NYC can do is put the team in a baseball yard on a business letter pitch. I get the TV market narrative, but the reality sets in. It is difficult to compete in today’s MLS without facilities, infrastructure and development.
Lampard and Pirlo obviously bought the narrative. Let’s hope the reality doesn’t cause them to take their business elsewhere. Both NYCFC and LAFC seem a bit like a wannabe league forcing two wannabe teams into big TV markets when there are other cities and their investors who are ready to build it right.
I expect the two franchise fees make the owners happy. I’m not sure it is good for the league. There is nothing wrong with Pirlo. He’ll be an asset to the team. How much better would he be on a real pitch in a real stadium.
Tight diamond with Jacobson at base w def duties, pirlo and mix ahead of him with lampard in the #10 role. Villa and poku up top with poku doing his thing kind of everywhere as needed.
It can not be overlooked that’s they play on an undersized field. There is not much room to open up the offense. I don’t think pirlo and lampard are acclaimed to te field as of yet. Hey as long as it’s green they can play soccer on it right? Sure sounders fan, whatever.
I’m not sure Lampard has played on that horrible field in the Yankee outfield at all, has he? Maybe a few minutes of one match?
I think a lot of people are overlooking the obvious. NYCFC is an expansion team. Two of their best and most key players have hardly had a chance to even practice much with the team, much less play. MLS is too good now to expect a team, even filled with stars, of which NYCFC has several, to come in and dominate the league right off the bat. There are 11 men per side and they need to know how to play together to maximize their talents and abilities.To expect a lot out of this team at this stage is not realistic. Maybe they will right their ship enough to make the playoffs, but even that is doubtful. Next season is when an accurate assessment of this team will be possible. And, by then, they could upgrade their roster..
Gary, we will not have any sensible comments on this blog. you can just take that intelligent talk over to big soccer!
What ever happened to signing Onyewu? They need a strong, big Centerback. Then they need to play a 4-3-3 with Mix, Pirlo and Lampard as the mids and Poku and McNamara playing the wings around Pirlo in the middle. Those wing/forwards could tuck in some to help the attack or get replaced by traditional mids when they or the mids get tired or the team gets ahead, they could convert back to a 4-4-1-1.
honestly dude, Gooch would be an amazing upgrade for this back line! Hernandez needs to find a bench to keep warm. Facey is fast enough and reads the game well enough to be a great partner for Gooch.
I get all the jokes about Limpard, Lamepard and Grampard given that he has barely seen the field since he joined the team and looked rusty and gassed during the Red Bulls game (what a shocker because he’s been injured and is out of form).
However, Pirlo was signed, has come in and played practically every minute since he has been available. The Pirlo “grandpa who can’t keep up with the speed of MLS” narrative is way overplayed. Pirlo will be just fine and will drop many a key pass / assist along the way. He’s a great addition to MLS.
No matter who, in what combination, in any formation, is NYCFC going to beat the Galaxy at the StubHub this weekend. With that said, you have to play the game, and I hope it’s a good one.
Yeah, that one could get ugly in a hurry.
Difference being LA Galaxy actually has Gonzalez, De La Gaza, and Robbie Rogers on D.
NYCFC has plenty of firepower, or at least potential firepower, but until they do something about those traffic cones in the back I don’t know what they’re going to do.
id say the first lineup is better, Mix could benefit from playing the pivoting CDM role. knowing Pirlo would more likely sit back Mix could pick his moments to push up and help with the attack. ideally he’s a CAM but with Lampard there it pushes Mix out of his natural position. the only other solution would be the first lineup yet switching Lampard and Mix.
fitting that three of the lowest paid options (Poku, McNamara and Jacobson) end up being the most valuable… money + experienced management = LA Galaxy, money + rookie front office = NYCFC
i think its safe to assume that Lampard and Pirlo will be out frequently because.. they are old, too hungover, don’t care, etc. so this is a non-issue. but when (if) they get it going, I think a formation with 3 cb’s, 1 d-mid, 2-holding mid’s, 3-attacking mid’s and 1 forward could be really interesting in the narrow Yankee Stadium.
Seems pretty obvious Mix needs to go to the bench.
Agreed. It’s sad to say but Poku is way better than him right now. I would like to see Mix get a shot at Jacobsen’s spot though.
very cleaver there bryan. but how about we give the new guys a chance to play a few games before nailing them to the cross.
Admit it, you are only defending Lamplard because you own a NY area buffet.
It’s a fish & chips shop actually!
Outstanding!
I have put on 10 “pounds” as you Yanks say, since I got here!
donaldo
Well you can only judge them by the games they played. Lampard is out again. Out since over a year ago now.
So far he has been terrible and absent. Not sure where Bryan was wrong.
Pirlo, ditto. So, so bad.
Mix hasn’t shown much but then again at least he wants to be there unlike Lamplard and that 40 year old homeless guy that gets blown up by the other teams midfielders every game.