{"id":409746,"date":"2022-02-25T20:36:20","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T17:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/nycfcs-biggest-questions-before-2022-mls-season\/"},"modified":"2022-02-25T20:36:20","modified_gmt":"2022-02-25T17:36:20","slug":"nycfcs-biggest-questions-before-2022-mls-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nycfcs-biggest-questions-before-2022-mls-season\/","title":{"rendered":"#NYCFC&#8217;s biggest questions before 2022 MLS season"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a326b716a03f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a326b716a03f\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nycfcs-biggest-questions-before-2022-mls-season\/#New-ish_look_attack\" >New-ish look attack<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nycfcs-biggest-questions-before-2022-mls-season\/#Finding_the_right_midfield\" >Finding the right midfield<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nycfcs-biggest-questions-before-2022-mls-season\/#Replacing_Anton\" >Replacing Anton<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#NYCFC&#8217;s biggest questions before 2022 MLS season<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>New York City FC opens the 2022 season against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday with a far brighter outlook than one year prior. Past penalty failures were avenged in last year\u2019s playoffs on two occasions, and a roster which coach Ronny Deila complained about in the spring is now a reigning champion teeming with young talent.<\/p>\n<p>However, that title-winning crew is not completely the same, with further changes possible as the season gets underway. Here are some question marks facing the squad as the season begins.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New-ish_look_attack\"><\/span>New-ish look attack<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>NYCFC ended the regular season with a Golden Boot winner in Taty Castellanos, while Jesus Medina finished second on the team with nine goals. Medina is now with CSKA Moscow, and there\u2019s a very real chance Castellanos is sold abroad this summer. Even the team\u2019s third-highest scorer from last regular season, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, is now with LAFC.<\/p>\n<p>Castellanos can be counted on to produce before any potential move, but things get dicier when he\u2019s gone. Young attackers Santi Rodriguez, Thiago Andrade and Talles Magno can all be expected to chip in with some goals in their second seasons with the club, and the latter has moonlighted as a striker already. But if NYCFC wants another title win \u2014 especially if Castellanos is moved \u2014 they\u2019ll need their 2019 top scorer to return to form.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHeber\u2019s been a guy \u2014 whether he was injured or healthy \u2014 he\u2019s always been a shining light in our locker room,\u201d captain Sean Johnson said Thursday. \u201cHe\u2019s always bringing good energy. He\u2019s a quality player.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/heber.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"H\u00e9ber Araujo dos Santos\" class=\"wp-image-21326803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/heber.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/heber.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/heber.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Heber, seen here against the Philadelphia Union in last season\u2019s playoffs, may assume more responsibility if Taty Castellanos departs.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Gregory Fisher\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After leading the line with 15 goals in his first MLS season, Heber\u2019s ACL injury has led to a couple of forgettable campaigns. He has one goal in the last two seasons (zero last year), in which he\u2019s made just 11 regular season starts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ronny Deila had the benefit of easing Heber back in last season, but with top clubs swarming for Castellanos, the Brazilian may soon be needed back at top shape.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_the_right_midfield\"><\/span>Finding the right midfield <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>James Sands\u2019 departure to Rangers on loan was a massive advertisement for NYCFC\u2019s academy, and more broadly, MLS\u2019 ability to develop players. Unfortunately for the champions, it also leaves a big hole in midfield.<\/p>\n<p>Sands was a stalwart in defensive midfield for the club, and despite being increasingly used in defense over the last season, he played in midfield during the playoffs when it counted.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p>The 21-year-old will be tough to replace, but luckily for Deila, the club already got a peek  at life without Sands in midfield last season. Alfredo Morales and Keaton Parks often worked as a midfield duo last year, and they\u2019re a good bet to continue that partnership once Parks has full fitness back following a surgery for a blood clot in his leg.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Deila will need to rotate with the club now participating in the CONCACAF Champions League; Sands\u2019 departure will force other guys up the pecking order. Nico Acevedo has started both Champions League <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>s so far against Santos de Guapiles, and the oft-injured but talented Gedion Zelalem got a rare start in the first leg. Sporting Director David Lee also said Thursday that the club is hoping to make a couple more signings before the transfer window closes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019re well prepared,\u201d Lee said. \u201dI think we have a lot of belief in our roster. We\u2019ve managed to keep some important players.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Deila will have options to rejig his midfield \u2014 they just won\u2019t include Sands.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Replacing_Anton\"><\/span>Replacing Anton<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>NYCFC\u2019s defense will also start the season without some key contributors from last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The list of departed players includes playoff super-sub Gudmundur\u00a0Th\u00f3rarinssonm, who is no longer with the club, but also, more importantly, right back Anton Tinnerholm, who remains out after an Achilles tear before last season\u2019s playoffs. Though Tayvon Gray filled in admirably for him during the team\u2019s title run, Tinnerholm\u2019s absence may be strongly felt over a larger stretch of games.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/tinnerholm.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Anton Tinnerholm\" class=\"wp-image-21326846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/tinnerholm.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/tinnerholm.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/tinnerholm.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Anton Tinnerholm will be unavailable for a large chunk of the season.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Andrew Katsampes\/ISI Photos\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Swede has been a constant attacking outlet for NYCFC during his time in MLS with nine goals and 19 assists in the regular season. Gray, 19, largely excelled in last season\u2019s cagey postseason matches, but with just three career regular season starts, it\u2019s unclear how equipped he is to NYCFC\u2019s more expansive style of play.<\/p>\n<p>Tinnerholm, when healthy, is instrumental to how NYCFC attack. Gray has big shoes to fill until he returns.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. 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Past penalty failures were avenged in last year\u2019s playoffs on two occasions, and a roster which coach Ronny Deila complained about in the spring&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":409747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/02\/nycfc.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[126154,71687,71642,73900],"class_list":["post-409746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-2-25-22","tag-mls","tag-new-york-city-fc","tag-soccer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=409746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/409746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/409747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=409746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=409746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=409746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}