The Philadelphia Union’s C.J. Sapong and NYCFC’s Mikey Lopez locked up last season at PPL Park and will likely duel again on Friday (Photo Credit: Charlotte Thomas)
This Friday night NYCFC look for their first road win of the 2017 campaign against the Philadelphia Union and the game promises to be a good one. Historically the teams have each won twice, lost twice and drawn one game in head to head battles. Both teams are looking to rebound from disappointing loses last week and Philadelphia will be looking to reverse a three game losing streak that has them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
It is a game NYCFC should win, but then so was last week against DC. Several questions have to be answered by Patrick Vieira. Will he continue the experiment from last week of having Fredric Brilliant in the backline or will he go back to more established right backs like Ethan White and RJ Allen? After the disastrous first goal last week, it is hard to see him sticking with Brilliant even if he does favor the ability to switch back and forth from four in the back to three. Will Tommy McNamara make his first start of the season or will he continue to play the role of super-sub? If he starts, who makes way for him? Will NYCFC show up to play after looking passive and lethargic in their last outing?
There are just as many questions or more for the Union. Will Alejandro Bedoya show himself be playing centrally or on the wing? What is his best position in the Union’s line up? Can the Union find another reliable source of goals other than C.J. Sapong? Will their defense hold up?
The Union have conceded nine goals in their last five matches and will have to find a way to stop David Villa and NYCFC’s potent attack. One match-up to watch will be Villa versus former USMNT defender Oguchi Onyewu. Although not the player he once was, Onyewu still reads the game well and spent a brief stint on trial last year with NYCFC. His physical presence coupled with a speedy Keegan Rosenberry could cause problems for NYC in the attack.
It will be a game to watch and has secured a prime spot on ESPN. All eyes will be on the prize. Both teams have something to prove and both teams could get a valuable “first” win for the season. Will be a first win on the road for NYCFC or just a first win for the Union? Only 90 plus odd minutes will answer that question.
NYCFC
Philadelphia Union
