Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview. This season, each club is getting its own dedicated preview, before a final recap. So lets get stuck in with New York City FC...
IN:
F David Villa (6/4/14 - Designated Player)
D Jeb Brovsky (6/12/14 - trade from Montreal)
GK Josh Saunders (7/10/14 - free)
M Andrew Jacobson (7/29/14 - trade from FC Dallas)
D Kwame Watson-Siriboe (8/11/14 - trade from Real Salt Lake)
M Matt Dunn (11/19/14 - Dispersal Draft)
D Josh Williams (12/8/14 - trade from Columbus)
F Omar Salgado (12/8/14 - trade from Vancouver)
M Ned Grabavoy (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from RSL)
F Patrick Mullins (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from New England)
D Jason Hernandez (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from San Jose)
M Daniel Lovitz (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Toronto)
F Tony Taylor (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from New England)
M Mehdi Ballouchy (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Vancouver)
D George John (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from FC Dallas)
M Thomas McNamara (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from D.C. United)
M Sal Zizzo (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from SKC)
D Chris Wingert (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from RSL)
GK Ryan Meara (12/11/14 - loan from New York)
GK Akira Fitzgerald (12/11/14 - free)
M Sebastian Velasquez (12/19/14 - trade from RSL)
D Andres Mendoza (1/5/15 - free)
M Mix Diskerud (1/13/15 - free)
F Khiry Shelton (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
M Kwadwo Poku (1/23/15 - transfer from Atlanta Silverbacks)
F Adam Nemec (2/2/15 - free)
M Javier Calle (2/6/15 - loan)
OUT:
M Daniel Lovitz (12/10/14 - traded to Toronto)
M Sal Zizzo (12/11/14 - traded to New York)
F Omar Salgado (12/29/14 - transfer to Tigres)
MANAGER: Jason Kreis
Man City B squad, um, sorry, New York City FC kicks off its inaugural season this year, with top young MLS manager Jason Kreis at the helm. Though they have faced some rocky moments in the offseason with the whole Frank Lampard saga, they look to hit the ground running with those who are there from the start, using Kreis' patented 4-4-2 tight diamond MLS formation.
Up front potential league leading scorer David Villa joins the league, having won everything there is to win in the rest of his career. Wether or not MLS trophies can be added to that tally is a whole other question. As is the strike partner Villa will have along his side this season. Name, Mullins, Shelton, and Taylor all look to be given a go, though my trick elbow says Kreis may be forced to ditch the 4-4-2 once Lampard arrives.
In the midfield, Ned Grabavoy looks to play in a more advanced role until Lampard arrives, with USMNT arrival Mix Diskerud surprisingly favored for the deep lying role which Kyle Beckerman made famous for Kreis in Salt Lake. More natural defensive mid Andrew Jacobson looks to play the tight right side of the diamond, with Ballouchy tight left. For me, once Lampard arrives, a 4-2- tight 3-1 should be the favored formation without a Beckerman type, with Villa supported by Lampard and Mix, and Jacobson and Ballouchy holding down the defensive roles, with Velasquez gaining a more prominent role.
Defensively, questions abound, with Wingert and Williams holding down the fullback positions, and Mendoza and Hernandez pairing up in the center of defense until George John enters the picture mid-season. In goal expect Josh Saunders to be first choice.
Overall, most expansion teams have issues starting out (Chicago and Seattle aside) and NYCFC looks to be no different. With only half of the season with Frank Lampard and George John, as well as a third DP surely to arrive, all of the weight of the early season will be on David Villa. While his talent is assured, the weakness of defense and the eventual need to have two holding mid to fill the Beckerman role, it could be a long season for the new boys in blue.
2014 Eastern Conference Finish: N/A
Predicted 2015 Eastern Conference Finish: 10th
Thank you for reading my NYCFC season preview, please feel free to check out the other team previews, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.
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