NEW YORK ā It was all new a year ago, new teammates embarking on a new journey. For some, it was their first foray in Major League Soccer. For all, it was a first time competing at Yankee Stadium ā a first time calling New York City home.
Year 1 was always going to have growing pains and that was evident in the final MLS standings. But for New York City FC players, thereās a greater comfort level as Year 2 gets underway.
āWhen you know all the things in the life, not only in soccer, you are more comfortable,ā NYCFC captain David Villa said at the clubās annual media day Thursday at Yankee Stadium. āYou know all the stadiums when we play away, we know more things about Yankee Stadium at home. Obviously the second year is better for us.ā
For those who are back, including Villa, Mix Diskerud, Josh Saunders and Andrea Pirlo, thereās more camaraderie this March. After all, Pirlo and Frank Lampard werenāt even teammates this time a year ago.
āThe excitement is not over,ā Pirlo said through a translator. āActually I was here only for a few months last season, so I think this is really the beginning of the adventure.ā
The expectation this year is the same as it was a year ago ā to make the playoffs. But the path to get there is a bit clearer this March.
āI think we have a better grasp of the expectation,ā Saunders said. āLast year everything was new. Coming back this year, we have a familiarity with it.ā
While Villa has an entire year of experience under his belt, the clubās other two Designated Players ā Pirlo and Lampard ā joined in the summer. Now, all three have been together from the start of preseason, although Lampard has been hampered with a calf strain and will likely miss Sundayās home opener against Toronto FC (5 pm ET; ESPN2, MLS LIVE, SN1 in Canada).
āYouāre talking about three players who had fantastic careers,ā Vieira said of NYCFCās big three. āIām really happy with the way theyāre working in training, with how they interact with younger players to make them better, to make them improve. They have a massive part to play in our success.ā
But Pirlo doesnāt consider himself a mentor to the younger NYCFC players.
āIām only a player here,ā he said. āIām not here to bring up other young players. Iām here to help the team do its best and win. Of course, Iām always happy to give advice if anybody wants it, but we have a coach. Heās a coach for me and heās a coach for the younger players. Heās a coach for all of us.ā
Of course, the biggest change is on the sideline, where Vieira has instituted a new formation and new demands on the team, physically and mentally.
āHe is our coach and he came with a change of pace for all of us,ā Pirlo said. āHe really wants to win and heās changing our frame of mind.ā