As New York City FC embarks on its third Major League Soccer campaign, the departure of Frank Lampard and the addition of twelve new faces has a number of questions sitting unanswered.
There’s sure to be a learning curve for Patrick Vieira’s team this year-- but what kind, exactly? Man for man, let’s go down the roster and sketch out the best-case and worst-case expectations for NYCFC in year three.
BEST-CASE: Grows accustomed to building from the back, starts every single game between the sticks, makes multiple MLS Teams of the Week
WORST-CASE: Struggles with the ball at his feet, becomes part of a shaky goalkeeping carousel
BEST-CASE: Performs admirably as a sub and occasional spot-starter at center-half or on the left side of a back three
WORST-CASE: Rides the bench, but ranks are too thin to justify sending him to San Antonio for playing time
BEST-CASE: Improves earnestly on an uneven 2016
WORST-CASE: Is a liability in buildup play, gets scorched on numerous counter-attacks
BEST-CASE: Definitively becomes New York City’s best center back, and shines on the right side of a back three, makes MLS Best XI
WORST-CASE: Can’t find chemistry with those around him, defense remains rudderless
BEST-CASE: Returns from injury and immediately becomes an impact sub in the box-to-box role; scores a game-winning header vs.