Football Season Guide

Last season proved to be one of a disappointment for New York City FC who did make it to the playoffs for a third straight season only to lose out in the Conference Semifinals to eventual MLS Cup winners Atlanta City. The upcoming season will be seen as a transition one for New York with Domenec Torrent overseeing his first full campaign in charge of the club but he will be without David Villa who has been New York's top scorer in each of their four seasons as an MLS franchise. New York have also let go of Yangel Herrera, Wallace, Jo Inge Berget and Tommy McNamara all of whom were regulars in the lineup last season. Alexandru Mitrita has been New York's biggest acquisition this season but is more of a support player rather that a like-for-like replacement for Villa. Juan Pablo Torres, Keaton Parks and Tony Rocha have also been brought in but are only expected to improve the depth rather than start the season as first choice. Despite a decent overhaul of the roster, there are not going to be many surprises in the starting lineup when New York kick the season off with Mitrita expected to be the only new face with Torrent able to hold on to the core of his side and a settled lineup may well prove to be an asset for New York, at least at the start of the season. Villa will certainly prove to be a big miss for New York who have not been as prolific in front of the goal as their rivals and unless Mitrita settles down quickly and proves to be a reliable goal scorer, they may once again find it difficult to secure the top spot in the Eastern Conference.