New York City bid to repeat as MLS Cup champions – Reuters

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New York City Football Club head coach Ronny Deila speaks throughout an event of their MLS champion on the actions of Municipal government in Manhattan in New York City City, New York City, U.S., December 14, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar

” Our death could be better. Its about understanding whats happening prior to the ball is coming.”
” They look much harder than they did last year. They have excellent individual players. They have a design of play that triggers issues if you dont defend well.”

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” The goal, of course, is to win once again. However MLS now is actually, actually competitive,” Deila told reporters on a video call.
” Last year we were the very best group, and we wish to be that this year too, but we need to improve from what we did last season.”
While their defense, led by veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson, was strong last season, the team has work to do on the other side of the ball.
” I believe we can be better in our offending play,” Deila stated
” Our passing could be better. We can develop even more opportunities than we have done. Its about relations. Its about positioning. Its about knowing whats occurring prior to the ball is coming.”
That defense will be put to the test when they go to an LA Galaxy group that includes Mexico striker Javier Hernandez and new additions Douglas Costa and Mark Delgado in their season opener on Sunday.
” Were going to fulfill a really great football group,” Deila said.
” They look much harder than they did last year. They have good private gamers. They have a design of play that causes problems if you do not safeguard well.”
NYCFC comes into the season opener on a roll after thumping Costa Ricas Santos de Guapiles 4-0 in Los Angeles on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
SEISMIC SHIFT
This MLS season will highlight the leagues growth and will be different in numerous methods.
The Feb. 26 start is the earliest ever due to the special timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The MLS Cup will be held Nov. 5, a little over two weeks prior to play gets underway in Qatar.
The expansion team in Charlotte is anticipated to draw an MLS record crowd of almost 75,000 fans for its house opener on March 5, and 2 more soccer stadiums will open in Nashville and St. Louis, bringing the number of stadiums developed for MLS clubs to 26, including nine considering that 2016.
In 2004 MLS had 10 clubs, and considering that then it has almost tripled the number of teams with 28 in 2022.
St. Louis is set to take part 2023 and the league remains in speak to place a 30th club in Las Vegas as soccers popularity continues to grow in the United States.
” Weve experienced an incredible shift, a seismic shift, that is showing us all that theres truly no limit to where Major League Soccer can go in the years ahead,” Commissioner Don Garber said.

LOS ANGELES, Feb 25 (Reuters) – New York City FC will require to step up their play from last season if they wants to duplicate as MLS Cup champs, head coach Ronny Deila said ahead of the start of the new project this weekend.
NYCFC were road warriors during in 2015s playoffs, winning three successive video games in hostile environments consisting of a penalty shootout triumph over Portland in the Cup Final to declare the franchises first prize.
As the North American league kicks of its 27th season more competitive than ever and with a new team in Charlotte, nothing will come simple.

Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, modifying by Ed Osmond
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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