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Like most MLS teams this offseason, New York City FC have been no strangers to change.
From a reworking of the roster to a changing of the guard in personnel on the technical staff, the club embarks on its second season on Sunday with a new coach, a younger core and a fresh vision. Yet perhaps the biggest difference heading into 2016 revolves around a team seeking to shift the focus from announcing itself to the New York market off the field to fine-tuning the product on the field.
Buoyed by booming season ticket and merchandise sales, NYCFC was an unmitigated success in its inaugural campaign. Plagued by an unbalanced and incoherent medley of players, however, the team floundered in its quest to secure a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs. That proved costly for manager Jason Kreis, whose departure made way for former France and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira at the turn of the New Year.
Ahead of Sunday's opener at a Chicago Fire team that's undergone its fair share of wholesale shakeups, opportunity knocks.
"In soccer in general and of course in MLS, all the teams want to improve, and the changes can be bigger for the teams that are not doing well," a matter-of-fact David Villa told FOX Soccer. "Chicago and NYCFC had bad seasons last year, didn't achieve their goals and needed to change things to perform better this year. This year, both teams have a new opportunity to show that we have learned from our mistakes."
One of three Designated Players alongside Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard, Villa will take comfort in having all three together at the start of preseason, in stark contrast to last year. Lampard will not travel to Chicago after sustaining a calf strain, but even so, a greater sense of a succession plan exists from front to back, and a more youthful one at that. After conceding 58 goals - tied for worst in MLS - defensive reinforcements have come in the form of, among others, 24-year-old Diego Martinez and 21-year-old Costa Rica international Ronald Matarrita, the cream of their winter crop of acquisitions.
From a more advanced standpoint, Kreis' fruitless 4-5-1 formation has been scrapped in favor of Vieira's high-pressure 4-3-3 system, allowing Villa more options in the attacking third with Tony Taylor and Khiry Shelton odds-on to flank the Spaniard. With the likes of Mix Diskerud, Kwadwo Poku, Tommy McNamara and the newly inked Federico Bravo, the concept of competition for places looms large and, understandably, questions linger as to how Vieira will appease an already congested midfield.
New NYCFC manager Patrick Vieira
"I'm happy because usually a team with a high-pressure system gives more chances to the attacking players," Villa added. "I'm completely sure that Vieira is bringing order and tactical improvement that will be very good for the team. The young players are going to learn a lot from him and they have a tremendous opportunity to improve and help the team to reach our goals. Talented players such as Shelton, Mix, McNamara, Poku and Matarrita will be key for the team."
As Villa points out, structure emerges as the key component. With an increased influx of youth to better complement Villa, Pirlo and Lampard, a semblance of balance has been restored to the side. While Vieira begins to grapple with the pieces at his disposal, the Frenchman's success over the course of a 34-game season will largely hinge on his ability create a viable shape and system, and motivating players like Villa to perform as the club looks to field an enhanced product.
Note: David Villa is part of the Heineken "Soccer is Here" campaign, which will also include soccer legends Landon Donovan and Carli Lloyd. Fans can see more at @HeinekenSoccer's Twitter page and on their soccer specific website, www.Heineken.com/Soccer.
