It’s still early in the MLS campaign, but Frank Yallop isn't shying away from the opportunity presented by seven upcoming matches against Eastern Conference opponents.
When the Men in Red travel to NYCFC for a Friday night fixture, they'll be looking to regain the momentum established before a recent two-game skid, and maintain their current spot above the playoff line. The Fire hold a perfect 3-0-0 record against Eastern Conference foes but are hungry to get their first road win of the season. NYCFC, on the other hand, wants to avenge a 1-0 defeat to the Fire at Toyota Park on April 24, courtesy of a David Accam goal.
“We’ve just got to go in here knowing they’re desperate to win,” head coach Frank Yallop said Monday via teleconference. “We’re desperate to win, too. We’ve lost two in a row. We’re desperate to get on the mark in our away form.”
As has been the case for a few weeks, Yallop's primary focus of late has been his team's ability to convert chances into finishes. The Fire have gotten off 25 shots in the last two games but were left without points in both matches. “It’s just not been going for us in front of goal right now,” said Yallop, who told his team in a Monday morning meeting that he's looking for his attackers to be more “ruthless” in the final third.
As for the defense, Yallop believes the back four have done well to limit opponents’ chances, and it all comes down to finishing on the other end like opponents have done against them.
“We’ve played well enough to win maybe another game, and we haven’t done it,” Yallop said. “We’re getting punished for our mistakes and not taking our chances when it comes. That’s soccer. It’s won or lost in two boxes.”
In last month's meeting between the Fire and NYCFC, David Accam -- who will be back in the lineup after serving a one-match suspension on Saturday -- did exactly what his coach wants to see, capitalizing on a ball-handling mistake by goalkeeper Ryan Meara. Accam snatched the ball away and slotted it into an empty net, and the 1-0 result stood.
But playing on the road against the first-year club presents a new challenge, and not just because of recent struggles away from home. The Fire will be playing on a tight pitch at Yankee Stadium that is 110 yards by 70, as opposed to the standard 120x75.
“I’m trying to think about that in our lineup,” Yallop said. “We’ve got to have some sharp feet on the field because there’s not a lot of room. It’s very condensed with a lot of players in the central areas with the field being narrow. It comes into my thoughts, so we’re just trying to pick a team that we feel is going to get after it and have a good performance and get a win.”
Yallop acknowledged pressure to win every game, but it’s taken up a notch against conference opponents. The Fire currently sit in sixth place in the East, and a positive result on Friday would certainly help the club get back on track.
“We’ve lost five matches already,” Yallop said. “That’s not good. These games coming up are very important. Not losing is huge, but to get three points against a conference opponent really does help you in the league you’re competing in.”
MORE MONDAY NOTES:
– Recently acquired striker Jason Johnson got his first match action of 2015 when he was brought on in the 84th minute Saturday as a substitute for Adaílton. The 24-year-old saw six minutes of action plus extra time and was on the field as his side fought to pull level after Jeff Larentowicz' PK goal. “I was less worried about touches than trying to get the team back in the game,” he said.
Johnson is feeling more comfortable with every passing training session, and he hopes his hard work will turn into more opportunities. As he and his fellow strikers work closely with assistant coach Clint Mathis, Johnson ultimately wants to show the technical staff he can help bring the Fire out of this recent scoring slump.
“Sometimes you go through rough patches and sometimes it just takes one goal, and that first goal may not be the prettiest goal," he said. "It’s a matter of time and hard work, being patient and working hard at the same time. I’m just waiting on the coaches to call my name like Saturday.”
– Mike Magee joined the team for non-contact training on Monday as he continues to progress toward a return from last season's hip and knee injuries. Strength and conditioning coach Adrian Lamb is being cautious to avoid pushing the 2013 MLS MVP too hard as he eases his way back into the squad. Yallop said he hopes to have Magee back in full practice by next week.
“It’s good to have him out there,” Yallop said. “He’s not moving around like a spring chicken right now but he was involved in the play and joined in and wasn’t any worse for it after the session.
“He’s been out for seven, eight months. That’s a long time in soccer or any sport. It might take him a while to get his feet under him and going, but it’s nice having him involved in training right now.”
– In other injury news, Yallop said midfielder Matt Watson is “doing OK” after sustaining a concussion against Real Salt Lake. He continues to progress through the proper protocol, but he will not be available Friday. “The first thing is Matt’s health,” Yallop said. “He’s getting taken care of. He rode the bike this morning just to move him around a little bit. He got hit pretty good.”
– Midfielder Michael Stephens could be available Friday after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. He has been in training for nearly a week. “We just want to get him game-fit,” Yallop said.
