New York City FC will welcome golden boot leader Christian Benteke and DC United to Citi Field on Saturday in a game that is pivotal to the NYC season. Last week the team won their second game of the season, a 2-0 win over New England to avoid the bottom of the Eastern Conference and now look to continue their upward momentum against a familiar foe.
It is a new-look DC United with a new head coach that is familiar with NYC in Troy Lesesne. Formerly the head coach of the New York Red Bulls, Lesesne is working on creating consistency in a team that has shown little signs of it over the years, despite high-profile players and coaches in the stadium. The same chaotic, high-pressure style of play is now integrated with the natural goal-scoring of Benteke. Whether it is enough to stifle the ball possession of NYC will remain to be seen.
For City it is all about conversion of chances. The team is defensively stout thanks to their ability to hold the ball and dictate the pace of play. Where they are lacking is in the final touch. The team ranks second lowest in goals scored in the Eastern Conference, a stat that has kept them in the bottom half of the table thus far in 2024. All of this despite creating a large number of chances for offensive players like Santiago Rodriguez, Mounsef Bakrar and Julian Fernandez.
The key to winning for NYC will be whether they can capitalize on chances created. Head coach Nick Cushing has banged the drum for his team, endorsing their efforts and implying that the results are soon to follow. Last week’s 2-0 win was a strong sign but they will need a second and more decisive one in order for fans to start believing that they are a real threat this season.
PROJECTED STARTING XI:
New York City FC: Freese; O’Toole, Risa, Martins, Ilenic, Sands, Parks, Wolf, Rodriguez, Bakrar, Fernandez
WHERE AND WHEN:
Saturday, 7:30pm at Citi Field or on Apple TV