Crooks: Veteran Saunders Remains NYCFC's Best Option In Goal

By Glenn Crooks
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The Major League Soccer campaign has moved past the quarter turn and New York City FC coach Patrick Vieira is still accumulating vital information about his roster.

He seeks to develop on-field relationships that feed into a system which requires an elevated level of technique and acumen. He has a mantra, "we will create more than we concede." His players repeat the phrase in interviews and, statistically, City has consistently generated more opportunities than its first nine opponents.

Nevertheless, inadequate finishing and inopportune gaffes on the defensive side have yielded a raised cause for concern among supporters, despite the victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps last Saturday.

"The information and the details are there," Vieira said following Thursday's practice at SUNY Purchase. "I just want the players to go and improve and not be scared to make a mistake because we will make mistakes with the way we want to play."

MORE: 'Soccer In The City' Podcast: NYCFC Wins At Home, Red Bulls Add Collin

NYC goalkeeper Josh Saunders is 35 years old and has played in nearly 200 MLS matches. He has won the MLS Cup with the L.A. Galaxy. However, the Oregon native had never consistently used the foot skills in build-up play that is required by Vieira. Saunders has struggled with the technical speed that is compulsory when playing through the keeper to start the attack. Just 37 seconds into the match against Vancouver, Saunders' two-touch attempt to circulate the ball led to Octavio Rivero's first goal of the season.

For the first time in his NYCFC tenure, Saunders was booed by the supporters. Adding to the insult was an audible Bronx cheer when Saunders made proper engagements with his feet as the match progressed.

"If I ask Josh to play from behind and he plays from behind and makes a mistake, this is my responsibility," Vieira said. "It's nothing against Josh -- he is doing what I ask him to."

Eirik Johansen is the second keeper for New York City. He has yet to debut this season, although he was featured in preseason scrimmages, including an impressive performance against the Montreal Impact. Johansen made three notable saves and was adroit with his feet both in controlling his first touch and in distribution. The current debate among supporters and scribes is whether it is time for Johansen to get a start.

"People talk about the mistakes he (Saunders) makes," said Vieira. "I think he saves us far than he makes a mistake."

Saunders was arguably the most valued player for New York City in 2015. He was forced into threatening situations due to a porous back line and made a high volume of spectacular saves. In 2016, Saunders has obliged with several critical stops, but appears to be playing with more caution and less certainty. Saunders cannot be directly blamed for the defending frailties of those in front of him. Even a modicum of doubt in his decisions, however, could contribute to less comfort at the back.

Saunders warrants every consideration from Vieira. Shame on the supporters who would jeer the man who has suffered and sacrificed through the 42 matches in his New York City term. It is also important to have your backup keeper prepared in a moment of crisis or injury.

Be assured that Saunders will start on Sunday night at RFK against D.C. United. Johansen awaits while Vieira continues his assessment.

Throw-Ins

-- Vieira has made a radical alteration of the midfield triangle since the beginning of the season. Tommy McNamara and Mix Diskerud played as the No. 10 and No. 8 (attacking midfielders) in the first three matches, with Andrea Pirlo the No. 6 (defensive midfielder). In the last two matches, Pirlo and Mikey Lopez were the 10 and 8 while Frederico Bravo was the 6.

"I like his (Lopez) energy, I like his enthusiasm, I like his competitiveness," remarked Vieira, the man who prototyped the No. 8 at Arsenal. "Same with Freddy. Having those two allows Andrea to be more on the ball. At the moment, things are going well."

Not necessarily for Diskerud, whose minutes have eroded since the emergence of Lopez.

"Mix did well in the games that he played, but I felt the team needed more defensive security and that's why I went with Mikey," Vieira said. "This is the strength of our roster and Mix is going to play a big role."

-- NYCFC averages 1.0 point per game in the 28 matches that Diskerud has started over two seasons. The team has averaged 1.3 points in the 15 matches that Diskerud was not in the starting XI.

-- Alvaro Saborio scored two of D.C. United's three goals against NYCFC last year when the teams split a pair of matches.

-- New York City will meet MLS Player of the Month Fanendo Adi and the Portland Timbers a week from Sunday in the second game of the upcoming three-match road excursion. Three days later, City will attempt to contain defending MLS Player of the Year Sebastian Giovinco at Toronto FC.

Considering the limited points secured at home thus far (seven in six matches), City craves at least three points from their first extensive journey away from Yankee Stadium. That categorizes Sunday's match as one that must end in the requisite win column.

D.C. coach Ben Olsen said Wednesday that he expects Fabian Espindola back in uniform following a Grade 1 hamstring strain two weeks ago. He is unlikely to start Sunday's match. Consequently, City can initially focus on Saborio, who ended any hope of an expansion playoff birth in 2015 with his late-season game winner against NYCFC.

D.C. United, Portland and Toronto FC are all 2015 postseason teams. The Timbers won MLS Cup.

"Of course, playing a playoff team is good," said Vieira. "It's a good test to see where we are. I think we can give them a problem as well."

Prediction: City wins at D.C. United, loses at Providence Park in the Pacific Northwest and draws at the renovated BMO in Ontario.

Four points from three severe road exams would result in league-wide salutations while Vieira aspires to build on the recovery from adversity, especially after conceding a goal less than a minute into the match against Vancouver.

"We suffer, it was hard," Vieira said. "Coming out on top with a game like that will make us even bigger."

-- As ticket demand continues to rise, NYCFC have opened up all levels at Yankee Stadium for the much-anticipated 2016 New York Derby, against the New York Red Bulls at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.

For all things NYCFC and the world of futbol, please follow Glenn on Twitter at @GlennCrooks