Discover more from Metro Soccer Report
Matchday Musings: NYCFC
A slightly too lighthearted look ahead to the Red Bulls' upcoming fixture
Most of the time I just use these intros to talk about whatever random problem is afflicting me, because I can’t afford therapy and have something better: a captive audience. But I’m all good now. I have no problems. You guys can take the week off.
Bulletin Board
It’s the most exciting parts of sports, corporate-sponsored animosity. Heineken Rivalry Week is a tradition like no other in world sports, as the league attempts to emphasize the individual passion and importance of each of the dozen or so in-league rivalries by scheduling every single one on the same day and mostly at the same time. But I’m sure the businesspeople at MLS headquarters have a better grip on it than I do, and regardless of my take on it, the Red Bulls face off against their Hudson River rivals Saturday night nonetheless. It’s one of the league’s slightly more authentic derbies as it has been able to capitalize on a New Yorker’s natural aptitude for hatred, but despite it still arguably not living up to its own standards it still promises to be a pretty entertaining fixture on the soccer side of things.
NYCFC are hot on the Red Bull’s heels in 2024, only three points behind New York and looking good in fourth place. After opening the campaign with three straight losses, the team stabilized and has looked more solid as time has passed, only losing twice in their following ten and yet to win or lose a game by over two goals. The Pigeons are flying (pun intended) and undoubtedly in the ascendancy, and with the Red Bulls in a similarly upbeat mood it might be one of the first Hudson River Derbies where both teams are actually… good. On the pitch, the clash will be a largely stylistic one, with Nick Cushing emphasizing a possession heavy approach that doesn’t mind keeping the ball and waiting until the time is right, as their eight-highest average possession in the league (51.8%) goes to show. The very disciplined approach leans toward a lot of recycling, passing out to the wing, playing into the holding midfielder, and circulating until they find the precise point to attack. It’s a coach's dream, and while the Red Bulls generally want their opponents to have the ball so that they can make mistakes with it, as evidenced by the utter hiding the Columbus Crew gave them, teams that have learned to be effective and have quality in possession present a different problem. While NYCFC’s pieces are starting to click, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows as they still struggle to convert their quality opportunities into meaningful attack and finished chances. Only a third of NYCFC’s attempted shots end up on target, and combined with a nearly league-worst 0.08 goals per shot finishing problems are a reasonable diagnosis. Yet to record a truly resounding win this season, this is still very much a young team that is still coming into itself, and one that’s of a caliber that can give the Red Bulls some trouble, but a caliber that New York should find beatable if they want to take anything tangible from the 2024 season.
Stats Circle
RBNY MLS record (6-5-2, 3rd place - East);
NYCFC MLS Record (6-2-5, 4th place - East)RBNY Top Scorer: Lewis Morgan (9);
NYCFC Top Scorer: Santiago Rodriguez (5)The Red Bulls have never lost to NYCFC at Citi Field. Mainly because they’ve never played there. Sorry, I got lazy this week.
Fun Fact: NYCFC winger Andres Jasson committed to play college soccer at Yale in 2020, but due to the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of that year’s Ivy League season, he instead chose forgo college to sign a homegrown deal with the Pigeons months after enrolling in school. His parents could not be reached for comment, but are assumedly still distraught and not entirely consoled by his 49 first-team appearances.
Players to Watch
Cameron Harper
Well hello there!
Somewhat of a forgotten man in the first few games of 2024, Harper has once again burst onto the scene with a pair of excellent appearances and is knocking on a starting role. Similar to Elias Manoel last week, Harper has a real opportunity to make this game a case for more consistent playing time. In an extremely strong and direct performance in his first start of the year against DC United, the winger showcased his best qualities, and ones that may be of use in a crucial derby game. As he faces off against former Red Bulls academy left-back Kevin O’Toole, the Red Bulls offense would greatly benefit from the width that the young American offers against an NYCFC defense that has struggled in parts of the year. Their defensive four would result in a fair bit of one-on-one matchups against Red Bulls wingers, and seeing as Harper is the most natural winger on the squad, Schwarz would do well to bring in someone that can be direct and is willing to take his man on for the chance of exploiting the space behind him. Wiki Carmona’s stubborn left-footedness leads him to cut inside when he plays on the right, attempting intricate passing moves more often than not, and with NYCFC’s strong double pivot (Andres Perea and Keaton Parks’ partnership has particularly blossomed this season) it’s hard to believe that forcing the attack down the middle of the park is the best route. Whether he makes a second consecutive start or is limited to time off the bench, expect Harper to be highly motivated as he argues that he’s the guy to turn to going forward.
Keaton Parks
The 26-year-old is somewhat of a veteran for NYCFC, racking up 154 appearances in all competitions in four years at the club, and already fifth on the all-time list. A holding midfielder of yesteryear standing at 6’3, his composure on the ball has made him a stalwart in a team that oftentimes runs through him. Disrupting NYCFC’s possession game will likely start with limiting Parks’ freedom to pass as he pleases, stifling his outlets in true Red Bull fashion. As the more experienced of the roster’s defensive midfield core, his composure will be vital in maintaining the stability of a young midfield, and getting him off his game could be instrumental.
Matt Miazga Model of the Week
Nothing handsome about the enemy.
Score Prediction
NYCFC have had a penchant for close games this year, and Hudson River Derbies have always had a penchant for close games, so I’ll take tradition’s word for it and say 2-1 Red Bulls win.