Away - Columbus 08/19

[FootyLovin]

Really a must win

We have 10 games left to get 18 points Poku to make it to 45 and a very likely playoff spot. Six of the ten games are must win. This one isn't.

That said, we'll all be a lot happier and less anxious with a win.

Side note: traveling this week. Called all the local sports bars. None of them carry an MLS package. Bought MLSLive yesterday. Very happy I'll get to watch on Wednesday.

 

[mgarbowski]

We have 10 games left to get 18 points Poku to make it to 45 and a very likely playoff spot. Six of the ten games are must win. This one isn't.

That said, we'll all be a lot happier and less anxious with a win.

True to an extent but when you need to win 6 of 10 (or something very close) you don't want to be using up one of your non-wins right away, especially when we have away games against DC, LA, Vancouver and Dallas, currently 1, 2, 3 and 7 in the Supporter Shield standings. This is one of our easiest Away games based on record-to-date. And if we lose, or even tie, we have to pick up a win against one of the above. Which I think we might do, but I would rather we do not have to.

 

[FootyLovin]

True to an extent but when you need to win 6 of 10 (or something very close) you don't want to be using up one of your non-wins right away, especially when we have away games against DC, LA, Vancouver and Dallas, currently 1, 2, 3 and 7 in the Supporter Shield standings. This is one of our easiest Away games based on record-to-date. And if we lose, or even tie, we have to pick up a win against one of the above. Which I think we might do, but I would rather we do not have to.

I agree in terms of wants and desires. But I've said before, my prediction for the end of the season Poku is:

L - L - T - W - W - W - W - W - W - W

That give us an extra win just for style points.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

It's scary, but Columbus is one of the easiest teams we have left to face. And they are not easy. All hands on deck.

 

[413Blue]

This match is must-win* imo, not just because it will improve our overall situation and make things easier down the line, but it will likely be the difference between us having a reasonable shot at surpassing Columbus and putting Columbus out of reach. If we win both our matches against them (we play them 2 out of next 3) then we trail them by only 1 point with equal GP.
I'd hate to limit the amount of teams we can reasonably pass, so this game is huge.

*Obviously, a true "must-win" match would be when we will mathematically be eliminated by a loss. Clearly, this ain't it, but it might as well be!

 

[benitolorenzi]

Crew are not exactly stellar defensively either. We can score plenty of goals against them if Poku starts.

But they are a solid team.
Question:
who's the NYC sweeper ("libero") for this game?

 

[FootyLovin]

But they are a solid team.
Question:
who's the NYC sweeper ("libero") for this game?

Mix.

#BestXI

 

[Seth]

I agree in terms of wants and desires. But I've said before, my prediction for the end of the season Poku is:

L - L - T - W - W - W - W - W - W - W

That give us an extra win just for style points.

I find your lack of faith (pause) disturbing. W x 10, baby.

 

[EganSoccerWords]

Mix.

#BestXI

This is where I want to see Mix as well. There has been zero chemistry between Jacobson and Pirlo. Time to give someone else a shot.

 

[JGarrettLieb]

Calling it now, Lord Kwame Watson Siroboe at CB and Grabavoy starts

 

[Kenny]

Facey out is huge imo. Very troubling. We will have to outscore them 6-5 or something.

 

[Kjbert]

while LA is the bigger draw, this is the more important game. I am hoping for a full squad tomorrow for 90 minutes (Poku, Mix and Pirlo get 90). And then a secondary squad on Sunday vs. LAG because we need the points in the conference.

 

[DeGrozz]

while LA is the bigger draw, this is the more important game. I am hoping for a full squad tomorrow for 90 minutes (Poku, Mix and Pirlo get 90). And then a secondary squad on Sunday vs. LAG because we need the points in the conference.

I agree with Columbus being the bigger game this week. I'm not sure I agree with using a secondary squad on Sunday.

We have 10 games to go balls to the wall and salvage a play-off spot. I don't think you take the risk of potentially leaving points on the table by not putting a lineup out there to win games, even if it is against the best team in MLS. I think we've shown that when we are on our A game, we can play with anyone. I wouldn't risk not bringing an A game in our situation just to get players rest.

 

[NYdoesitEZ]

All the talk of having to outscore them is flawed logic. both offense and defense hinges on the performance of the midfield holding and passing balls well, giving the front enough chances to score and not exposing the back to too much pressure, the latter of which is especially important given our weak/immature back line. So we are not going to have a "split-personality" case in which defense does poorly and offense scores a lot (that Orlando game is exception as they did not pressure and smoother us us). The front and back's performance are highly correlated, if the back gets beaten up too many times, the front won't get enough support or chances to score, simple as that. So the key is not focusing on offensive scoring (which is an end goal and the symptom). The key is to focusing on the root to make sure our mid-field gives a strong performance that enables Poku/Villa to score a lot while not exposing our back too much. Go NYCFC! go you bearded man! go Poku and Villla! go Mix and TommyMac! good luck to Saunders and our back4 - we need some luck too!

 

[jeff Solimine]

Do you guys think Mix will get anything from the crowd over the transfer saga or nah?

 

[JayH]

We have 10 games left to get 18 points Poku to make it to 45 and a very likely playoff spot. Six of the ten games are must win. This one isn't.

That said, we'll all be a lot happier and less anxious with a win.

Side note: traveling this week. Called all the local sports bars. None of them carry an MLS package. Bought MLSLive yesterday. Very happy I'll get to watch on Wednesday.

FootyLovin I picture you walking around playing the Supertroopers "Meow" game using "Poku" instead. Am I correct?

 

[LionNYC]

NYCFC is 4-0-0 when Poku starts and averages 3 goals a game. That sounds like a winning strategy. Mix needs a breakout game to silence the hater (Hudson River Blue).

 

[Jock]

Not great form or a great scoring record away from home, but i'm backing the boys to turn all that around and come away 3-2 winners!

Poku, Villa and Tommy for us, Some Guy #1 and Some Guy #2 for them.

 

[benitolorenzi]

I'd rather prefer a two-nil, the perfect game. A goal each half and a clean sheet.

 

[FootyLovin]

FootyLovin I picture you walking around playing the Supertroopers "Meow" game using "Poku" instead. Am I correct?

I don't Poku know what you mean.