Crooks: It's Vital NYCFC Respond Following Embarrassment In Derby

By Glenn Crooks
» More Columns

Ahead of its match on Sunday against Orlando City FC, the New York City Football Club is looking for any edge to eliminate the aftertaste of a horror that was the 7-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls in the Big Apple Clasico.

There are a number of items which may prove beneficial.

MORE: 'Soccer In The City' Podcast: NYCFC's Disappointing Showing Vs. Red Bulls

In what must have been devastating news to Orlando City coach Adrian Heath, Kaka will not be available when the Lions travel to the Bronx.

Kaka, the former FIFA World Player of the Year, was added to the Brazil roster for Copa Centenario on Thursday. A thigh injury to fleet Bayern Munich midfielder Douglas Costa provided the opening for the 34-year-old, who has 91 caps for the Selecao. Brazil will now be without its top pair of offensive threats at Copa. Neymar, responding to a directive from his club, Barcelona FC, has chosen to sit out the Centenario in favor of the Rio Olympics. Barca, within the laws of releasing players, forced Neymar to choose between the two summer events.

In seven matches this season for the Lions, Kaka has two goals and five assists and his partnership with 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin has been developing into a lethal connection.

"The more we play together, the more I learn from him," Larin said. "Last year, at the beginning, I wouldn't have been in that position. I keep learning."

Kaka and Larin had combined for three of the last four goals scored by Orlando City, including both in a recent 2-1 victory over the first-place Montreal Impact. Kaka also assisted Larin on the Lions' second goal in a 2-2 draw with Philadelphia on Wednesday.

In the match against the Union, the Lions also lost center back David Mateos due to a red card in the third minute of second half of stoppage time, and Cristian Higuita (yellow card accumulation).

That's three starters down and limited recovery before the plane ride Friday to New York City.

Advantage, NYCFC.

Patrick Vieira's squad has needed psychological recuperation following the match that tied the all-time MLS record for lopsided defeat.

"It is really difficult to accept losing that way," said Vieira, who held court after training on Thursday -- and held firm on his conviction to sustain a designed methodology.

Vieira insisted that he will not change his tactics on the smaller dimensions of the pitch at Yankee Stadium.

"Building from the back, this is the philosophy I want the team to have and we are go to stick with that," he reiterated.

"I don't think the way that (Red Bulls) press stopped us developing our game," he added. "We weren't brave enough. We have to be brave and trust each other. Where we got hurt is that we did not take the initiative to play forward. It was that more than their pressing."

Is that more bulletin board fodder for Jesse Marsch?

Earlier in the week, the Red Bulls' coach bristled when reminded of a postgame comment made by David Villa.

"It's not the Red Bulls," said the City captain, who is tied for the league lead with eight goals. "With our play today, any team in the world that plays against us -- winners for sure. The Red Bulls, it doesn't matter."

On Tuesday at the Red Bulls training facility, Marsch took exception to Villa's comments.

"That may be his feeling, but the reality is that game was put on our terms by us," said the 2015 MLS Coach of the Year. "I take that as a knock against us and it's something that we will remember."

The response on Twitter from supporters and journalists suggest that Marsch has a heightened sensitivity.

New York City will host the Red Bulls in the second of three rivalry matches on July 3.

Throw-Ins

-- Kaka, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid whiz, missed the first match this season against NYCFC due to injury. Larin scored off a rebound header to give the Lions a 1-0 win on March 18 in the Bronx. Larin now has six goals in four all-time matches against NYCFC.

Steven Mendoza entered the first OCFC match as a substitute and struck the post with a near equalizer in the 75th minute in front of a Friday night crowd of 24,597.

NYCFC utilized the retro 3-2-2-3 shape, which resulted in possession dominance and superiority in shots and corners, to no avail. This also signaled the emergence of Federico Bravo, who joined Andrea Pirlo as the holding midfield tandem. Bravo now sits alone as the holder in the 4-3-3 shape.

-- Frank Lampard made his 2016 debut against the Red Bulls and was welcomed with boos from the NYC supporters.

"I don't think the fans are aware of the extent of the injury," Lampard said. "If I'm getting booed for being injured then there's not much I can do about that. I've been training morning and afternoon to get fit. People don't see that."

For Lampard it was just his 11th appearance in two seasons for City.

-- Despite the incessant chatter about the frailties of New York City and the re-emergence of the doubters, Vieira's club will gain sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a win against Orlando City. Prior to the derby debacle, City had earned seven points from three difficult road matches. The team need to solve its  woes at home, where it has one victory, tied with Toronto FC for fewest in the league. Toronto played its first eight matches on the road as renovations were completed at BMO Field in Ontario.

-- Ex-NYCFC coach Jason Kreis and ex-Red Bulls coach Mike Petke are names that have emerged as potential replacements in Houston, where Dynamo coach Owen Coyle has left the team by mutual consent.

Petke will be my guest on The Coaching Academy next Wednesday at 1 p.m. on SiriusXM FC.

For all things futbol, please follow Glenn on Twitter at @GlennCrooks. You can also read his work on the @EmpireofSoccer site