With the season-opening match against Orlando right around the corner, we break down New York City FC’s projected starting XI.
New York City Football Club kick off their 2017 campaign on Sunday against Orlando City SC. The Lions debut their new home stadium against their northern rivals. NYCFC are looking to make the postseason for the second consecutive year; Orlando are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in their third year of existence.How will NYCFC line-up for the opener? Manager Patrick Vieira led his team to the postseason a year ago, but the loss of Frank Lampard and a bevy of new faces presents several interesting options for the Arsenal legend.
Here are our projections for NYCFC’s starting eleven in the season opener against Orlando.
Goalkeeper: Sean Johnson
Sean Johnson was brought in to sure up NYCFC’s back line. The former Chicago Fire keeper racked up 176 appearances in the Windy City and has a higher pedigree than Josh Saunders and Eirik Johansen combined. At 6-foot-4, Johnson has a huge frame and at 27, he is entering the prime of his career. Johnson should be a shoe-in for the number one shirt for the entire season.
Left Back: Ronald Mattarita
As one of the biggest surprises of the 2016 season, Costa Rican left back Ronald Mattarita stood out as one of the finest left backs in MLS. Mattarita has the skill and technique of a winger, with blistering pace and the ability to participate in link up play.
His tremendous play generated transfer rumors from Europe, and it also garnered Mattarita 13th spot on MLS.com’s 24 under 24, which ranked the best 24 players in MLS under 24-years of age. While he might eventually be picked up by a bigger club in Europe, for now, Mattarita is among the finest left backs in MLS and is a no brainer in the starting XI.
Center Back: Alexander Callens
Acquired this winter to shore up the backline, Peruvian center half Alexander Callens could play a big part for NYCFC moving forward. Callens was acquired from Spanish second tier side Numancia, but he also spent four years at Real Sociedad, a middle-to-top tier club in La Liga Santander.
NYCFC have tried a bevy of options at center back — Jason Hernandez, Ethan White, etc.– and none have really panned out. Hopefully, Callens’ international pedigree turns him into a shrewd signing for NYCFC.
Center Back: Maxime Chanot
Acquired over the summer, the Luxembourg international instantly became a starting center half for the Blues. Chanot showed great poise on the ball and did well to shore up the NYCFC backline. At 27, Chanot still is in the prime of his career and could establish a great partnership with Callens in the midfield.
Right Back: RJ Allen
New Jersey native RJ Allen has quietly established himself as a key player for NYCFC over his near two-year stint with the club. Allen has the ability to play at both left and right back, and he has shown great poise going forward as well as staying back to defend. He isn’t the flashiest player, but he certainly gets the job done.
Center Midfield: Andrea Pirlo
37-year-old Andrea Pirlo is about to enter what will, in all likelihood, be his final season as a professional athlete. His long, successful career, which has included World Cup and Champions League triumphs, will likely end after this season, but the Italian still remains an integral part of NYCFC’s first team.
While he doesn’t have the pace or stamina that he once had, Pirlo’s innate ability to pick out passes from deep has persevered, and the addition of several speedy attackers, including Jonathan Lewis and Sean Okoli, will undoubtedly benefit the maestro.
The jury is still out on whether Pirlo has been a worthwhile signing for the Blues, but he is a shoe-in to the first XI regardless.
Center Midfield: Thomas McNamara
Tommy McNamara has been a jack of all trades kind of player for NYCFC for a while. He has played on the wing, as a number ten, and in the center of midfield. Regardless of where he plays, he adds production and hard work to any side, which is why he was a favorite of both Jason Kreis and Patrick Vieira.
McNamara might be deployed as a center midfielder, responsible for protecting the back four due to the departure of Andoni Iraola. Pirlo will also sit in front of the back four, but he doesn’t have the engine or pace that Tommy Mac does. The Pearl River, New York native will need to provide steel in the midfield and protect NYCFC’s biggest weakness: the back four.
Center Attacking Midfield: Maxi Moralez
NYCFC’s latest designated player might not bring the name-brand recognition that their other designated players have. He isn’t a club/international legend like David Villa, Frank Lampard, or Andrea Pirlo. What he is, however, is an especially exciting player with terrific attacking potential. Whether he plays as a center attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, or on the wing in a 4-3-3, Moralez is an electric player with the ball at his feet.
Moralez is fantastic at running at defenders and attacking pockets of space. He can also pick out a pass, and cause defenders to gravitate towards him, freeing up attention for his teammates. Some may argue that he should score more goals than he has over his career, but he still has tremendous attacking potential.
Tom Marshall, who covers Liga MX in Mexico, likened Moralez to Giovani dos Santos, or maybe even Sebastian Giovinco. If the Argentine could produce anywhere near the level that those two have, NYCFC could have pulled off the signing of the offseason.
Left Wing: Sean Okoli
NYCFC signed forward Sean Okoli from FC Cincinnati of the United Soccer League, a signing that might prove to be their most significant of the offseason. Okoli was named MVP of the USL after netting 16 goals in 29 games, good enough to win the Golden Boot as well.
At 23-years-old, Okoli brings a fresh, exciting, dynamic element to Patrick Vieira’s side, and could be a key cog in NYCFC’s attack as the season progresses.
Right Wing: Jack Harrison
No surprises here. The English winger took MLS by storm during his rookie season, showing a keen eye for goal, tremendous dribbling ability, and the ability to play on the same level as legends like Villa, Pirlo, and Lampard. While Harrison may play second or third fiddle to more established stars on the team, he represents the future of the franchise.
His passing is terrific; his dribbling is among the best in the league; his aggression and feel for the game far exceed that of a normal teenager in MLS. Harrison has the tools to turn into one of the league’s marquee players, and while Villa and Pirlo will grab the headlines, Harrison will need to be key if NYCFC are to make a rush towards the playoffs.
Striker: David Villa
He won the MVP award last year, he’s the captain, and he’s one of the greatest goal scorers of this generation. Who else would start at striker?