Yankee Stadium welcomes Thursday night Major League Soccer action to it's field as New York City FC host D.C. United in an Eastern conference match up.

NYFC will be looking to close the gap on both Toronto FC and FC Dallas as the race for the MLS Supporters Shield heats up. D.C. United on the other hand, will be hoping to get three points and stay ahead of Orlando City SC in that last playoff spot. The last meeting between these two teams on May 8th say NYCFC take all three points with a two-nil win so DC will be hoping for a change of fortune this time around.

NYCFC need to bounce back

The home side come into this match after losing to Orlando by two goals to one last weekend and it has left them slightly behind Toronto in second place, two points away from the Eastern conference leaders. The loss was unexpected after NYCFC had put in a great performance to beat Los Angeles Galaxy so the team will be looking to get back on track with a win tomorrow.

Shannon Gomez and Connor Brandt are still out with injury for the hosts while international duty has taken away both Ronald Matarrita and Maxime Chanot from availability for this match. NYCFC may have these players missing tomorrow but they still have the services of David VillaFrank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo which will surely boost their chances and help them try and build a better consistency at home.

D.C. United can create some separation in the standings

As previously mentioned, DC are currently occupying the last playoff spot and are one point away from Orlando who are right below them in the table. The visitors will try and get all three points to give them an edge over Orlando who are due to play this weekend. DC come into this match after a 6-2 thumping of bottom-placed Chicago Fire and will use that game to try and bring some confidence into their away form. DC have not one any of their last six away games but after their performance against Chicago, there is a possibility that they will get their first away win ins ome time tomorrow.

DC, like NYCFC, also have injuries to contend with. Chris Korb, Collin Martin, Chris RolfeAlhaji Kamara, Charlie Horton and Jared Jeffrey are all still out while international duty has taken away the services of Steve Birnbaum. Former NYCFC man, Patrick Mullins will be the key factor for DC as the striker is currently in a rich vein of form in front of goal.

Key points to look for

As most scouting reports should say, David Villa is always a threat for most if not all defenders in the league. The former Spanish international has not slowed down all that much since moving to the MLS and he continues to score goals from all angles, bringing him to a total of sixteen for the season so far. At the other end of the field, NYCFC have let in far too many goals. In fact, they have let in the same amount as they have scored, 45, and head coach Patrick Vieira will be hoping that his previously leaky back line will not let in even more goals tomorrow.

For the visitors, Patrick Mullins will be looking to get one over his old team. Mullins has found the back of the net five times since he joined DC mid-season and not only is he dangerous in front of goal, but Mullins has also been something of a creative force for D.C. United as well. The other player to keep an eye on is Lamar Neagle. The former Sounders man has four goals and four assists in the season and if he can combine with Mullins a few times, he will create and finish the opportunities that come his way.

Prediction

New York City FC 2, D.C. United 2.

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