Earning a point today
won’t be easy for Orlando City, as the Lions face a NYCFC squad that is difficult to beat at home — Yankee Stadium.
For Orlando City coach Jason Kreis, today’s match against New York City FC in Yankee Stadium represents a chance to measure the newly reconstructed Lions against a club that has, in his words, become the “measuring stick for opponents.”
“This is an opportunity for us to show that we’re quality,” Kreis said. “If we can go and get a result there, if we can go and get three points, I think that makes a big statement about who we are.”
Beyond the talent on the roster, the Lions will have to contend with NYCFC’s unique home venue.
Everyone knows the pitch at Yankee Stadium is small. Crow-barred into the outfield of the historic baseball venue, NYCFC’s home field meets the minimum 110-by-70-yard standard set by FIFA.
It’s smaller and not at a soccerspecific stadium — and NYCFC had little trouble dominating there last season. The Pigeons posted a 10-5-2 home record and star forward David Villa obviously wasn’t bothered while playing in the Bronx. He scored 13 goals in 15 matches at Yankee Stadium last season.
It’s a hostile environment and it’s where Orlando City is trying to pick up its first win of the season. The Lions (0-1-1, 1 point) will get another chance to leave New York with points at 3:55 p.m. when they take on NYCFC (2-0-0, 6 points). The game will be broadcast on Univision Deportes and streamed live on Twitter.
NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said it’s hard to get a read on exactly how good the Lions are yet because no one has seen them with the firstchoice lineup.