Keys to the Match: Big Week
June 18, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release
New York City FC travel west to take on the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night.
Kickoff at Dignity Health Sports Park is scheduled for 10:30PM ET.
Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford...
Goal Getters
Only Real Salt Lake have scored more goals than the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference.
Greg Vanney's side have summoned 35 goals so far this season, with Serbian striker Dejan Joveljic their leading scorer with 10 goals. Elsewhere, Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec, and Joseph Paintstil offer goals and creativity in abundance.
Vanney's commitment to attacking and entertaining football has come at some cost, however. While the Galaxy sit near the top of the attacking charts, they also have one of the poorer defensive records in the Western Conference. Conceding 27 goals so far this season, only four teams have conceded more in the West.
The Galaxy are unbeaten in eight home games, and that goal-heavy tendency was best summed up in their last outing against Sporting KC. Ultimately, the Galaxy ran out 4-2 winners, but not before some nervy moments - Miguel Berry giving them the fourth goal in stoppage time.
Bounce Back
Defeats have been few and far between for City of late and it meant Friday's result against the Columbus Crew stung that little bit more.
Central to New York City's good run of form was success on the road and this week affords them the chance to build more good momentum away from the Five Boroughs.
City know the challenge of facing the LA Galaxy won't be an easy one, but the same could easily have been said prior to facing Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union. By claiming those victories they have established the pathway to claiming away wins.
The players and staff were frustrated to lose last time out, and they will be eager to channel that energy into Wednesday night as they seek to get back to winning ways.
Big Week
The race at the top of the Eastern Conference is hotting up with nine points separating City in fourth hand Inter Miami CF at the top.
Despite that gap, it's worth noting that Miami have played two more games than City, with this week presenting the opportunity to close the gap. Nick Cushing aspires for his side to be one of the best in MLS and that includes trying to win the Supporters' Shield.
As part of that journey, City must go away to difficult places - like the LA Galaxy and Nashville SC - and claim points. That means this is a big week for the players and staff, but it is the kind of challenge they relish.
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Major League Soccer Stories from June 18, 2024
- LAFC Aims to Extend Eight-Game All-Competition Winning Streak in Austin on Wednesday, June 19 - Los Angeles FC
- LA Galaxy Sign Midfielder Isaiah Parente on Short-Term Agreement from Ventura County FC - LA Galaxy
- Enchant Christmas Returns to San Jose's PayPal Park with an All-New World's Largest Christmas Light Maze this Holiday Season - San Jose Earthquakes
- Injury Report: Two out vs. LA Galaxy - New York City FC
- President of Football Operations Raúl Sanllehí Outlines Ambition for Sustainable, Global Future - Inter Miami CF
- Charlotte FC vs New England Revolution on September 21 Moved to 4:00 p.m. - Charlotte FC
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. D.C. United - Atlanta United FC
- Rapids Eyeing Three Road Points in Midweek Matchup against St. Louis CITY - Colorado Rapids
- Kickoff for September 21 Match at Charlotte FC Moved to 4:00 p.m. - New England Revolution
- San Diego FC Announces Expansion and Renovation of Mission Valley Store, Eighteen Threads - San Diego FC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs Orlando City SC - Charlotte FC
- St. Louis CITY SC Transfers Nikolas Dyhr to Randers FC - St. Louis City SC
- CF Montréal Hosts New York Red Bulls this Wednesday - Club de Foot Montreal
- Nashville SC Travels to Canada for Toronto FC Matchup - Nashville SC
- Keys to the Match: Big Week - New York City FC
- Columbus Crew Acquire Aziel Jackson from St. Louis CITY SC in Exchange for $650,000 in General Allocation Money - Columbus Crew SC
- St. Louis CITY SC Trade Aziel Jackson to Columbus Crew - St. Louis City SC
- Sounders FC and Talking Rain Beverage Company Enter Multi-Year Partnership - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Cincinnati Host Philadelphia Union in Midweek Tussle with Familiar Foes - FC Cincinnati
- Real Salt Lake Continues Three-Game Week Wednesday at Kansas City - Real Salt Lake
- Edwin Mosquera Expected to Miss Three-To-Four Weeks - Atlanta United FC
- Leadership and Remembering History Is How DeAndre Yedlin Chooses to Celebrate Juneteenth - FC Cincinnati
- FC Cincinnati Academy Progress in MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs - FC Cincinnati
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