Know your Foe: NYCFC-Colorado Rapids game preview

In the wild, wide open MLS, there are no easy weeks. After a clashing with western leaders Dallas, the Rapids have to travel to Yankee Stadium to play Eastern Conference leaders New York City FC. Time difference (kickoff is at 1:00pm MT), travel and an experienced, talented adversary aren’t the only obstacles Colorado will have to face, as Yankee Stadium is also the most cramped field grounds in the entire league.

NYCFC come into this game after having suffered a brutal derby loss in Jersey, by a sound 4-1. With motivation being sky high for Patrick Viera’s team to bounce back at home, this won’t be an easy game. Their record at home hasn’t been stellar, 3-3-5, and having won twice as many away games. This could be in part because David Villa and Jack Harrison’s runs, combined with Andrea Pirlo’s pinpoint long balls don’t work as well in their small home field.

This game also comes after the All-Star game in which Pirlo and Villa could play. I wouldn’t bet on it, but there’s a chance both don’t start and are given rest by Viera. That would certainly factor into the result. For this preview, we’re assuming New York’s veterans leaders will play.

The Rapids also need to get some points, as not only Dallas but the LA Galaxy are gaining ground and have become real threats to a potential Colorado Supporters’ Shield run.

Here are the games key matchup as I see them.

Key match-ups

Defense

Being attentive to Pirlo’s long passes and combination play from the savvy vets

Great talent plays well with other great talents. While players like Villa, Pirlo and Frank Lampard might not be in their primes anymore, they still have great vision, good first touches, and intelligent precision passing. A compact, tactically sound defense (the Rapids bread and butter thus far) is going to be essential against this unit.

Villa’s acceleration and intelligence getting behind the center backs

The Rapids are supreme in the air defensively, but guys like Villa, with his know-how and quickness, can be dangerous. The veteran World Cup winner is a genius in finding spaces between the defense and he has the teammates to find him in space with great passing. With all the talent on the NYCFC attack, Villa is the focal point, not to mention MLS goal leader.

Harrison’s speed on the wing

While the Eastern Conference leaders are known for their big name European veterans, it’s a teenager who has made this team click. MLS SuperDraft’s first overall pick (the Rapids traded the second overall selection shortly after he was taken), Jack Harrison, has played superbly in his rookie season. His dribbling ability, speed, and creativity make him a menace on the right wing. Marc Burch will likely start on the left defensive flank and he’ll need to be on his A-game tactically as being caught too far forward could spell danger against the young Harrison.

Offense

Finding some goals 

The Rapids have shown signs of breaking out offensively (despite being fifteenth in goals scored, they are ninth in shots on goal), yet, we haven’t seen it all truly come together. The NYCFC defense might be just what the Rapids need to find their groove on offense. Viera’s side boasts the league’s worst defense having allowed an MLS-high 39 goals in 22 games.

Free kicks and dead balls

NYCFC has allowed an MLS-worst 11 dead ball goals. Their group of center-backs is probably the teams greatest weakness. The Rapids have scored 6 of their 23 goals off dead balls but have potential for much more. This is a big area for Colorado to exploit.

The Yankee Stadium factor and playing the short game

A tighter, smaller field will certainly aid the Rapids compact and organized defense but could it help their offense as well? When they get going, Dillon Powers, Marco Pappa, Shkelzen Gashi and Kevin Doyle can play really well with quick touch short passes. Pappa might make more sense than Marlon Hairston for this game, given the field and the need for quicker, shorter touches.