New York City FC Match Preview and Prediction: Los Angeles Galaxy
After an impressive Hudson River Derby win, New York City FC looks poised to earn all three points against the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday night.
Where: StubHub Center – Carson, California
When: Saturday, 8/12 at 11:00 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Match Overview:
As good as they’ve played at home this season, New York City FC has been equally as good on the road. The Boys in Blue have tallied an impressive 16 goals in 11 away matches this season and
More from New York City FC
- EWB Power Rankings: New York Islanders, Brooklyn Nets, NYCFC take top spots
- EWB Power Rankings: Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders stay hot while New York Rangers join the party
- EWB Power Rankings: Mariano Rivera tribute tops week, New York Islanders and Brooklyn Nets stay close
- EWB Power Rankings: New York Islanders, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Yankees keep us rolling through January
- EWB Power Rankings: New York Islanders, Brooklyn Nets, New York Red Bulls top wild week
are tied for second in MLS with four road victories on the year, second only to the team they’re playing Saturday.
Once a model of consistency and excellence, the Los Angeles Galaxy are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in recent memory. The Galaxy find themselves in unfamiliar territory this year, sitting third to last in the Western Conference thanks in part to their league worst 1-6-4 record at the StubHub Center this season. Despite their struggles, Los Angeles can still steal the final playoff spot in the west if they turn their home form around against the Boys in Blue.
Three Keys to the Match:
- Utilize the Wings: The Galaxy utilize a 5-3-2 formation and barring a drastic change by head coach Sigi Schmid, Los Angeles will line up with five at the back Saturday night. Expect NYCFC to utilize their wingers to stretch LA’s back line and create space for David Villa and other players trailing into the box.
- Be Quick on the Counter: The Galaxy’s 5-3-2 formation requires full backs to push high up the pitch to support the forwards and central midfielders on the attack. The Cityzens need to play the ball forward as quickly as possible when they take possession in their own end to take advantage of LA’s lack of numbers at the back.
- Play Out of the Back: Part of NYCFC’s club identity is to build up their attack from the backline on most restarts. The Boys in Blue got away from that philosophy against the Red Bulls, but going back to that strategy will serve New York well this weekend. The Galaxy lack the numbers up top to cover the all of the Cityzens’ defenders, which should give New York the time and space to build up play.
Player to Watch: Tommy McNamara
Due to a yellow card accumulation suspension, midfield playmaker Maxi Morález will not be in the starting XI for NYCFC Saturday night. Normally, manager Patrick Vieira would have Andrea Pirlo start in his place, but the Italian international has proven to be a defensive liability. Instead, Vieira will most likely turn to Tommy McNamara.
Despite playing out on the wing for most of the season, McNamara does have some experience in the central midfield due to several mid-match formation changes throughout the season. McNamara should fill in adequately for the offensive minded Morález thanks to his passing vision and long range ability.
Official Overview: Robert Sibiga
Robert Sibiga spent the first three years of his career as a fourth official until he finally earned the opportunity to referee MLS games towards the end of 2015. Naturally, Sibiga is still relatively green as he has officiated only 39 career matches, but he’s is still a quality official despite his lack
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
of experience on the senior circuit. However, he’s not a referee that will “let the boys play” so to speak.
In 17 games as a referee this season, the five-year veteran official averages almost 25 total fouls awarded per game. However, he’s not too harsh when he blows his whistle. Sibiga averages a little under four yellow cards per game.
If his track record this season is any indication, expect plenty of fouls to be called during the match.
Prediction: LA Galaxy 1 – NYCFC 3
This could be a potential trap game for New York, but they’ll most likely leave the StubHub Center with all three points. El Capitan probably won’t record a hat-trick for the second game in a row, but NYCFC’s offensive firepower will be too much for LA to handle and the Cityzens will hand the Galaxy their seventh home loss of the season.