Away - 3/4 Kansas City

[LionNYC]

New York City FC at Sporting Kansas City
Sunday, March 4th 7:30 PM ET
FS1, WFAN
Stream on Fox Sports Go (with a cable subscription)

It all begins again. Season four for NYCFC kicks off in Kansas City in the quest to lift the MLS Cup.

It was a questionable preseason for the club. We only saw a real starting 11 against Montreal where we tied 2-2 after some brilliance from David Villa but mistakes on defense.

 

[WalkenTall27]

Took a quick glance at Kansas City's record from last year. Amazing they only allowed 29 goals, 8 less than the next best performance (Toronto @ 37 GA). Only 40 goals scored led to their 5th place finish in the West. I honestly have not paid attention to any of KC's roster turnover this off-season, but I'm assuming this will be a scrappy and likely frustrating game.

 

[Seven]

Scoring might be difficult for us, but KC is possibly starting Khiry as their #9 so...

 

[adam]

Our Johnson came up even vs Monteeal’s Bush today. Will SKC surprise us with their Dick?

 

[JGarrettLieb]

I'm not entirely convinced that we had a net improvement over last year in terms of on field, but I'm damn sure that most of the rest of the league did.

 

[Ulrich]

Scoring might be difficult for us, but KC is possibly starting Khiry as their #9 so...

That just means he’ll probably score a hat trick against us.

 

[canchon]

Our Johnson came up even vs Monteeal’s Bush today. Will SKC surprise us with their Dick?

SKC isn’t playing Dick unless Jason Kreis becomes their coach.

 

[Seven]

I'm not entirely convinced that we had a net improvement over last year in terms of on field, but I'm damn sure that most of the rest of the league did.

How do you know that? It seems like Orlando, Toronto and Atlanta have improved, but we don't actually know that until they start playing. Not saying they did or they didn't, just wondering how you are so sure they did.

Their signings and additions look great on paper, but according to MLS previews that I have been listening to and reading, so do ours

 

[NickFromAstoria]

SKC isn’t playing Dick unless Jason Kreis becomes their coach.

 

[Davo15]

We really are a bunch of glass half fulls around here. Pre Season means nothing. We were better than KC last year and I have no reason to think that's changed. We lost Jack but added a lot of pieces that equal more depth. I expect a win.

 

[bgt5002]

So many new players. And we still need to gel, quickly. I don’t know. I’m thinking we have a rocky start ahead of us, unless Villa is Villa and plays like he did today.

 

[Christopher Jee]

So many new players. And we still need to gel, quickly. I don’t know. I’m thinking we have a rocky start ahead of us, unless Villa is Villa and plays like he did today.

Only 2 new players really though. I think Medina will take a few games to find his feet. I think Sweat maybe comes in for Matarrita. Ofori, Berget, Lewis to come in and expected to make an impact.

 

[LionNYC]

We really are a bunch of glass half fulls around here. Pre Season means nothing. We were better than KC last year and I have no reason to think that's changed. We lost Jack but added a lot of pieces that equal more depth. I expect a win.

Well Jack scored the only goal in our match against SKC last year. So yeah...

 

[Ulrich]

Only 2 new players really though. I think Medina will take a few games to find his feet. I think Sweat maybe comes in for Matarrita. Ofori, Berget, Lewis to come in and expected to make an impact.

I’d definitely put Sweat in for Mata at this point. He’s safer on the ball and we can’t afford loose touches and lax defending from a defender that always wants to be a wing.

 

[ManhattanValley]

How do you know that? It seems like Orlando, Toronto and Atlanta have improved, but we don't actually know that until they start playing. Not saying they did or they didn't, just wondering how you are so sure they did.

Atlanta have only won once this preseason, so clearly they're going to struggle this year...

 

[adam]

I’d definitely put Sweat in for Mata at this point. He’s safer on the ball and we can’t afford loose touches and lax defending from a defender that always wants to be a wing.

Not if Wallace’s play drops off as a result. Have to factor that in as well.

 

[Fake Jew]

I know that Mata is currently in bad form but the ability to find him over the back kine and space the field will have value. Vieira has a hard choice to make on Sunday.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

If you sign Matarrita to one of the clubs bigger contracts, he has to be given every opportunity to play through the rustiness and claim the spot as his own.

In the long run, it will benefit our team on the field and our books for Mata to be the starting LB. He’s a a far more gifted player than Sweat, and when playing well, he adds dynamism going forward with his pace, technical ability and take-ons.

If he puts up a month of performances like yesterday, then you re-assess.

 

[Gotham Gator]

If you sign Matarrita to one of the clubs bigger contracts, he has to be given every opportunity to play through the rustiness and claim the spot as his own.

In the long run, it will benefit our team on the field and our books for Mata to be the starting LB. He’s a a far more gifted player than Sweat, and when playing well, he adds dynamism going forward with his pace, technical ability and take-ons.

If he puts up a month of performances like yesterday, then you re-assess.

I tend to agree, but he’s been crap all pre-season. Leash needs to be short.

 

[Taurus]

Let the fun begin. Here's a lineup taking into account the limited matches we have seen. I'm still giving Wallace the benefit of the start but Lewis is close on his heels. He will need to start proving his value early in the season. Also, starting Mata. Thought I'd never say this, but Sweat is also close.



Bench:
Stuver, Sweat, Saad, Ismael,Ofori, Lewis, TMac.

(Would like Cedric in place for Saad if he is not injured.