Since joining MLS in 2015, New York City FC have consistently earned a top three spot in the Eastern Conference and going into this weekend’s clash with Sporting Kansas, they are once again fancied by bookmakers to finish among the leading contenders.
Having reached the Conference Semi-Finals in each of the last three seasons, NYCFC were among the favourites again in 2019. They didn’t make the best start, drawing five of their opening six, but as the season has drawn on, they have been finding their form. They’ve suffered defeats in just two of their last thirteen games, and although both of those games came in the last three fixtures, they recovered with a good win in Colorado last time.
That victory took them to fifth in the Eastern Conference table, seven points behind leaders Philadelphia Union, but they have four games in hand over the pace setters and three games in hand over their other leading rivals, which is why bookmakers rate them so highly.
And according to the betting odds, they aren’t expected to have too much difficulty this weekend when they entertain strugglers Sporting Kansas. NYCFC are the -149 favourites according to BetCris, while Kansas are considered +345 outsiders and the draw is priced at +306.
Based on the head to head form, and the history of the two franchises, that might seem to flattering to the East Coast side. Sporting Kansas have won the MLS Cup twice and have four times lifted the US Open Cup. They have also won two of the four games they’ve played against NYCFC in their history. They won the first, in 2015, and the second, by a comfortable 3-1 margin. But NYCFC have won their last two, beating Kansas 1-0 in 2017 and 2-0 last spring.
And this year, Kansas have struggled to meet their usual high standards. They finished top in the Western Conference last year, but their long-standing manager Peter Vermes hasn’t been able to work his magic this time round. Six wins in twenty-one games explains why they go into this match third from bottom in the Western Conference, and while there is still time for them to get into play-off contention, their lack of consistency makes it hard to envisage.
Their recent record illustrates their problems perfectly. Back to back victories over fellow strugglers Chicago and Vancouver could have been the springboard for a good run but they slipped up immediately, losing 2-0 at home to sixth-placed side Dallas
The size of the task facing Kansas this weekend has also been increased by the return of Alex Ring and Maxime Chamot to the New York ranks. Although their absence didn’t result in a defeat in Colorado, they are crucial components in the NYCFC machine and will be welcome back. The home side are expected to dominate possession, so chances for Kansas will be at a premium, and if they are to get anything out of this game, they will have to be ruthless up front and resolute at the back.
