Surging New York City FC braces for Revolution (Aug 20, 2017)

By AP
Published

New York City FC will look to continue a late push toward the top of the Eastern Conference standings when it welcomes the New England Revolution to Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening.

New York City (13-7-4, 43 points) is arguably the hottest team in the league after winning their seventh match in 10 games last weekend, a 2-0 victory at the Los Angeles Galaxy that included a sparkling first goal from 20-year-old rookie Jonathan Lewis.

And while MLS Golden Boot contender David Villa's 18 goals are the driving force behind NYCFC's continued improvement, the development of Lewis and other youngsters are big factors.

"You talk about a player who's young, who's worked extremely hard to get to a point of starting and contributing to this team," NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson told MLSsoccer.com after Saturday's win. "I told him before the game, 'Look, you've got what it takes. You know that. Keep going at them, keep doing your thing, keep putting pressure on their back line, empty your tank. At the end of the day, you know your abilities so when you get on the ball don't be afraid to go at players.'"

With Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield leaders Toronto FC traveling to the third-place Chicago Fire on Saturday night, second-place NYCFC would improve its position relative to at least one of those teams with a victory Sunday. The fourth-place New York Red Bulls also lost at Portland on Friday night.

Meanwhile, New England (8-10-5, 29 points) is looking to build its own late-season momentum after winning three of its last four, and could debut former Kansas City forward Krisztian Nemeth after signing him in the summer transfer window.

But the 10th-place Revolution remain one of three teams in MLS -- and the only one in the East -- that haven't won on the road this season, which is the main reason they entered the weekend six points beneath the playoff line.

After scoring 10 goals with Kansas City during the 2015 campaign, Nemeth believes he might be able to help New England turn that road record around with an even better second MLS stint.

"Definitely I have more for sure," the Hungarian international told MLSsoccer.com. "That year was just the first year. It was different adjusting to the culture and league, but I have the experience of playing in many countries so I have acclimated fast and can make it. That's one good part. It's easy for me to join this team."