In the early hours of Thursday (GMT), in-form New York City FC host out-of-sorts Seattle Sounders at the Yankee Stadium in a key game for the home sides chances of sealing a play-off spot in MLS.
The team from the Big Apple have now hit their stride in the Eastern Conference. City are unbeaten in 11 MLS matches, which has seen Domenec Torrent’s team maintain a spot in the play-offs.
They are currently sixth-place and five points ahead of eighth-place Orlando City and have also played two games fewer than their play-off rivals.
One defeat all season in 15 top-flight games is an impressive record. However, the home side do have a tendency of drawing too many league games, as they have drawn eight of their league outings this season.
New York have been lethal in front of goal of late in the MLS, scoring at least twice in five of their last six league matches.
💥 | @tatycaste11anos had @ElJimador Shot of the Month on 🔒 from June 1st... #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/jW2NYWuAs3— New York City FC (@NYCFC) July 1, 2019
💥 | @tatycaste11anos had @ElJimador Shot of the Month on 🔒 from June 1st... #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/jW2NYWuAs3
Seattle Sounders have enjoyed a strong campaign so far in the Western Conference of MLS, as they currently lie third-place in the standings and six points clear of the team occupying eighth-place.
Despite their positive position in the standings, the visitor's recent form in MLS has been a major concern. A 1-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps last time out ended a run of four games without a league win and also a three-game losing streak. A win in this clash would see Brian Schmetzer’s team move up to second in the standings.
However, the Sounders recent away form has been poor, as they have failed to win on the road in the US top-flight in seven games, including losing three straight away games in MLS.
Forebet predicts that New York will record a victory in a high-scoring clash to add to the visitors away day woes.