Keys to the Match: Tighten up
August 19, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release
New York City Football Club are on the road Sunday as they take on Chicago Fire.
Here are the Keys to the Match, presented by Ford.
Tighten Up
While NYCFC's last two road games haven't produced ideal results, all hope is not lost.
Against both Inter Miami CF and Columbus Crew the Boys in Blue finished the game with a higher Expected Goals total than their opponent. While that isn't the only deciding factor when evaluating a performance, it highlights the quality and consistency of the team's attacking output.
Nick Cushing has acknowledged the team's need to cut out individual errors, and it is with that small change, tightening up at the back, that NYCFC can build a platform for success and ultimately an important road win this weekend.
Dangerman
Xherdan Shaqiri was a major new arrival for Chicago Fire in the off-season.
It should come as no surprise that the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich winger leads Chicago for assists this season with 11. Typically playing behind the striker, the playmaker's willingness to float across the final third and inhabit pockets of space is what makes him dangerous.
The Swiss international will provide a stern test for NYCFC defensively alongside his colleagues, and if they can quieten Shaqiri's involvement they will significantly boost their chances of leaving the game with a positive result.
Quick Turnaround
It's been a busy few weeks for NYCFC.
Dating back to the start of July the team have only once had a full week between MLS games. The dilemma that presents is good form can be easy to build, while bad form can quickly pile up. Thankfully, July was a largely successful one for NYCFC, with two draws and four wins from six games.
August hasn't quite had that same return, but Sunday's game coming so quickly after Wednesday's disappointment gives the group ample opportunity to turn things around and possibly be the start of brighter days.
Major League Soccer Stories from August 19, 2022
- LAFC Signs Forward Danny Trejo to MLS Contract - Los Angeles FC
- News & Notes from Week 26: Rapids Prepared to Take on Houston Dynamo at Home - Colorado Rapids
- Injury Report: Three Absent, One Questionable vs. Chicago Fire - New York City FC
- Nashville Soccer Club Loans Midfielder Handwalla Bwana to Memphis 901 FC - Nashville SC
- Sporting KC Host the Portland Timbers on Sunday - Sporting Kansas City
- Women's All-Star Game at Stade Saputo on September 4 - Club de Foot Montreal
- LAFC Travels to San Jose to Take on Earthquakes Saturday, Aug 20 at PayPal Park - Los Angeles FC
- Starting Strong at the Home Fortress - Ingredients of the Match - Charlotte FC
- RSL Academy Announce 2022-23 U-17 Roster - Real Salt Lake
- CF Montréal Hosting the New England Revolution Saturday - Club de Foot Montreal
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Columbus Crew - Atlanta United FC
- Revolution Visit CF Montreal on Saturday Night - New England Revolution
- Sounders FC Travels to LA Galaxy for Friday Night Matchup - Seattle Sounders FC
- Houston Dynamo FC Open Two-Game Road Trip in Colorado - Houston Dynamo FC
- Earthquakes to Launch Artist in Residence Program in Collaboration with Adobe - San Jose Earthquakes
- New York Begins Two-Match Homestand, Starting with FC Cincinnati on Saturday - New York Red Bulls
- Real Salt Lake Back Home Saturday to Host Vancouver in Thirteenth Consecutive Sellout - Real Salt Lake
- Adrián Rosario Called up by Puerto Rico's U-17 National Team - Inter Miami CF
- Keys to the Match: Tighten up - New York City FC
- Minnesota United FC vs. Austin FC Preview - Minnesota United FC
- St Louis CITY SC Announces Academy Coaching Staff Ahead of Club's Second MLS NEXT Season - St. Louis City SC
- New York City Football Club Claims Matías Pellegrini from Waivers - New York City FC
- Eric Lichaj Set to Join Men's Youth National Team Camp - FC Cincinnati
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