Off the back of a 1-1 grind against the Los Angeles Galaxy in California, New York City FC (NYCFC) faces another roadtrip test against Eastern Conference rival the Philadelphia Union on Sunday at 4:30 P.M. ET.
“We’re fully aware of the fact that we only scored one goal [against the Galaxy] where we should have scored more,” head coach Pascal Jansen told the media ahead of their matchup.
All the off-the-pitch focus remains on NYCFC finding a solution to the Alonso Martínez-shaped hole up front for the Boys in Blue. Nicolás Fernández Mercau, who dispatched the penalty to equalize against the Galaxy, has deputized upfront as a false nine, linking the wingers and attacking midfielders together in the final third.
His two chances created and one shot on target may not be pretty reading, but Kevin Egan, lead studio host for the MLS on Apple TV, believes “it’s an adjustment for him” to lead the line as opposed to his natural wide-player tendencies to drift out to the byline to receive the ball and attack.
“But this is his first offseason, first time getting a break with his new team, I give him every benefit of the doubt right now,” Egan told amNY. “I do think they need another striker, someone to back him up…a bigger name than maybe a young academy kid.”
Seventeen-year-old Seymour Reid is the only fit, out-and-out striker on NYCFC’s senior roster at the moment. Whilst the Jamaican scored in a pre-season friendly against Sporting Kansas City and featured from time to time last season, he could not get on the pitch when the Pigeons were trying to find the go-ahead goal in Carson.
Instead, Jansen opted for the returning Keaton Parks and 23-year-old winger Talles Magno, who came on in the 88th minute for Hannes Wolf on the left flank. Yet, “consistency has been a real big problem for [Magno] now — maybe even his positioning too — because he’s played all across the front line in different roles for New York City over the years,” Egan said.
Magno didn’t have enough time to make an impact, but still needs time to integrate back into the squad, according to Jansen.
“If there’s any coach that can get the best out of him and have a calming influence on Magno, it is Pascal Jansen,” Egan said.
Philadelphia played against Defence Force F.C. in the CONCACAF Champions Cup first round on Thursday night in a 7-0 win, 12-0 on aggregate. It’s left the defending Supporters’ Shield champions with less than half the amount of time to prepare for this MLS matchup, but they will be looking for revenge.
The last time these two sides faced each other was last season’s Conference semifinal, where the evergreen Maxi Moralez scored in the first half to separate the two sides. The Union has lost two core members in center back Jack Glesnes and striker Tai Baribo since, but still remains a formidable prospect for the Boys in Blue.
“We know the way [the Union] play — it’s high octane, it’s in your face,” Egan said. “New York City are going to have to manage all of that, especially being on the road…it’s a difficult place to go.”
The Union will also be without new signing Ezekiel Alladoh for this match — the 20-year-old was sent off in his MLS debut against D.C. United last week.
“The Galaxy is a completely different team compared to Philly — in the way they play, the way they approach their game, and the individual qualities,” Jansen said. “But the focus for us is always on our own team and taking into account the differences that we are going to have to deal with playing against a new opponent.”
