For the first time in history, one can write a season preview about New York City Football Club. The MLS expansion club will finally enter the league in the 2015 season after two years of waiting. Playing temporarily at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC will have their work cut out for them in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Let’s dive into what is in store for the club in its first season.

MLS expansion teams have only made the playoffs twice in their first year. While NYCFC will sure try and do just that, their supporters will expect them to match the Chicago Fire and win MLS Cup in their first ever season. While City has built a great foundation, there are plenty of uphill battles in store for the club.

NYCFC announced their first ever player in June of 2014, when they completed the signing of Spanish superstar David Villa. Villa was signed on a costless transfer after he had helped Atletico Madrid win La Liga and advance to the Champions League Final. Villa gave NYCFC credibility, and put the MLS on notice. The second signing, which was also the club’s second designated player signing, was announced in July at a press conference in Brooklyn. City announced that they had signed Chelsea superstar Frank Lampard to an 18 month contract, and all seemed well. All seemed well until December, when what is now known as "Lampardgate" emerged. Eventually Lampard did sign with MLS and NYCFC, and he will arrive in July.

NYCFC did well to fill out their lineup, acquiring many MLS veterans with great experience. Guys like Josh Saunders, Jeb Brovsky, and Josh Williams well help the young and less MLS experienced into transitioning well into the league.

Expect David Villa to shred through MLS defenses, proving why he is the all-time Spanish goal scorer. While NYCFC definitely have the offensive firepower in Villa/Mullins/Nemac/Taylor/Shelton/ (Lampard in July), the defense will have to solidify quickly to keep the club in playoff contention. Expect Manchester City loanee Shay Facey to push for a starting job, while injured expansion draft pick CB George John to enter the squad later in the year. 

Midfielder and US National Team player Mix Diskerud will probably play the defensive bottom of the diamond in the midfield. While Mix can definitely push up the field with pace, Coach Jason Kreis is definitely planning this team for the future. Expect Frank Lampard to enter the top of the diamond in July, while the possible acquisition of Xavi from Barcelona could solidify the midfield as the best in MLS history. 

Everything could come to perfection for NYCFC; the players gel right, Diskerud learns the defensive role well, the defensive holds, Lampard fits in quickly, and a third DP signing comes in the summer. Yet expect a bit more turmoil from the club due to the current stadium situation and just wait until Yankee's manager Joe Girardi complains about the field conditions. It wouldn’t feel like NYCFC without some turmoil, right? All in all, City's roster and Jason Kreis and staff's experience could lead to a playoff bound season for New York City FC.

Expected Starting XI:

Saunders, Williams, Brovsky, Hernandez, Wingert; Ballouchy, Jacobson, Diskerud, Grabavoy; Nemac, David Villa (©)

New York City FC opens up the season with a trip to Orlando City Soccer Club, in a battle of newly formed MLS clubs. It should be a dandy, as City face a raucous crowd of 62,000 spectators at the Citrus Bowl against Kaka and co. NYCFC’s first ever home game comes the following week against defending Eastern Conference champions when the New England Revolution travel to Yankee Stadium. Lampard’s first match could occur July 4th against Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and new Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Josef Leizerowitz
Credentialed football writer covering Manchester City, Manchester United, and International Football.