NYCFC, squad of International veteran superstars face Columbus Crew SC

Columbus Crew SC begins a two-match homestand tonight against NYCFC after having more than a week off from MLS action....
In a July 15, 2015 file photo, Columbus Crew SC do battle against Chicago on the road for the club's first road win of the season. After a week off, Crew SC returns to action against a squad of tough international veterans in newcomers NYCFC. Stephanie Sokol/The Pit
In a July 15, 2015 file photo, Columbus Crew SC do battle against Chicago on the road for the club's first road win of the season. After a week off, Crew SC returns to action against a squad of tough international veterans in newcomers NYCFC. Stephanie Sokol/The Pit

In a July 15, 2015 file photo, Columbus Crew SC do battle against Chicago on the road for the club’s first road win of the season. After a week off, Crew SC returns to action against a squad of tough international veterans in newcomers NYCFC. Stephanie Sokol/The Pit

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ednesday night’s match in Columbus will feature some of the world’s top footballers with championship pedigree, including three designated internationals signed by NYCFC.

David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Andrea Pirlo may be north of 30, yet they are vital pieces that were brought in to gel a team looking to make the playoffs in its inaugural season.

In a wide open Eastern Conference table that is wide open, New York is only one point behind Montreal for the 6th and final coveted playoff spot. Meanwhile, Crew SC return home to MAPFRE Stadium in solid mid-season form after winning on August 8 against Colorado, notching its second road win with a strong defensive effort.

To win against NYCFC, Columbus will be looking for another quality performance defensively from its back four to limit chances against a technically sound New York attack.    

What to expect from NYCFC

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1) GK: Saunders, D: Angelino, Hernandez, Facey, Allen M: Pirlo, Jacobson, Poku, Diskerud, McNamara F: Villa

Standings: 8th place, Eastern Conference, 27 points

Form (previous 5 MLS matches): L-W-L-L-W, 6 points

If we learned anything from their impressive 3-1 victory on August 13, it’s that the NYCFC attacking midfield re-established offensive form and found gaping holes in the D.C. United defense throughout the match.

Knowing that Columbus keeper Steve Clark is fired upon more than any keeper in the MLS, New York will favor an open game to give Kwadwo Poku the space he needs to make finishing runs into the final third.

Leading New York with seven assists, the Ghanaian can distribute and score in clutch stages of any given match. Expect an especially physical battle between Poku and Crew SC’s Tony Tchani to determine which of the two teams will have greater attack opportunities.

Another weapon for the NYCFC midfield is the immediate impact of Italian International Andrea Pirlo. Winning the 2006 World Cup and five Serie A titles, The Architect is notorious for operating in the tightest of spaces, distributing laser-precision passes into the box.

Should they catch Columbus center backs out of position, David Villa will look to sneak in for the give-and-go ball from Pirlo. A gifted technical finisher, Villa leads New York with 14 goals and can burn opposing defenses off the counter. By playing its defenders high and establishing long-term possession in the attacking half, the Spaniard as well as Mix Diskerud will be constant scoring threats for New York.

Off the bench, NYCFC Manager Jason Kreis is deep at the midfield position and may look to give Frank Lampard a cap with a key second-half substitution. The Englishman and Premier League Veteran possesses a high-football IQ to get in position for a long-distance strike at goal.

Without a doubt, the NYCFC midfield has its fair share of playmakers that have all the star power, yet need to find the net more often, netting an anemic nine total goals on the road.

What to expect from Columbus Crew SC

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1):  GK: Steve Clark, Jimenez, Parkhurst (captain), Wahl, Francis, M:Tchani, Trapp, Finlay, Meram, Higuain, F: Kamara

Standings: 3rd place, Eastern Conference, 34 points

Form (previous 5 MLS matches): ,  W-W-T-L-W, 10 points

Earning a 2-1 win on August 8 at Colorado provided a much-needed lift for Crew SC, addressing both the road woes and tightening the holes in its back four. Facing technically-gifted personnel such as Villa and Pirlo, Crew SC captain Michael Parkhurst and the center backs will need to keep the line tight and especially mark up on set pieces from Pirlo services into the box.

Closing passing lanes and open space for Poku will both disrupt the NYCFC offensive pace and allow Columbus to push its outside backs high.

Defender Waylon Francis is at his best working up the flanks, delivering accurate crosses to a leaping Kei Kamara or finding a trailing Federico Higuain penetrating through the defensive midfield. The Costa Rican and MLS All-Star has tallied six assists and is a spark to the Black & Gold attack early in the first half.

However, the Tico will need as strong an effort on the defensive side to keep the shot total down on Steve Clark.

Accurate passes in the midfield and disciplined defending by Wil Trapp will be key to isolating an NYCFC attack that can quickly ignite and counter at opportune times.

Wearing opponents down through short passes in the midfield, Crew SC easily facilitates its offensive rhythm through Higuain. Gaps in the NYCFC defensive midfield will make way for Pipa passes via diagonal ball to Ethan Finlay.

With a club-high 12 assists, seeing a slashing number 13 sprinting into the final third is not something New York keeper Josh Saunders would not like to see.

On the bench, Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has depth to either vary his attack or reinforce the back line, should fitness become an issue in the later stages of the match. Recently acquired Ghanaian center back Harrison Afful is a shutdown defender that could be asked to shut down Villa in the final stages of the second half.

Also, Jack McInerney could prove valuable for the Black & Gold in a tie game to attack up the middle.

Prediction

Both offenses will have ample opportunities throughout the match with a high shot total evenly distributed. Expect Pirlo and Villa to give Crew SC center backs fits with each successive touch and shot on goal.

Despite near misses over the bar and wide of the post, one finds the back of the net. The match will continue with a fast pace that gives Poku more than enough space to operate. Columbus will be eagerly seeking the equalizer on a long Francis run down the flank. Double teaming Kamara,  a poorly Finlay streaks in to volley a rocket into the net to make it 1-1.

Crew SC will have maintain the statistical edge in passing accuracy and possession time into the second half. Keeping the ball in the final third, an Higuain cross finds the head of Kamara and the back of the net. Less than ten minutes later, NYCFC counters again finding a streaking Villa.

Cataching Clark high off his line, Villa passes to Poku for the simple tap in goal. Both teams will not settle for a tie; late second-half substitutions become a huge factor. McInerney enters the match and has an immediate impact on the match.

An Higuain to McInerney connection on the through ball puts Columbus ahead. Not wanting to repeat the mistakes of the Toronto FC match, Afful steps onto the pitch making his debut. After a barrage of Villa shots in injury time, Clark comes up with a key save as Crew SC hold on at home.

Final Score

Columbus Crew SC – 3
NYCFC – 2     

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