Whereas they’re definitely within the driver’s seat, the Cityzens are internet hosting in some unorthodox circumstances. NYCFC are enjoying at LAFC‘s Banc of California Stadium because of a lack of venue availability – and Concacaf permitted ones – within the New York space. With the defending MLS Cup champions opening their 2022 title protection on the LA Galaxy on Sunday (5 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes), Banc of California grew to become a logical answer.
It deprives NYCFC of their traditional home-field benefit within the conventional sense, and head coach Ronny Deila admitted on Tuesday that it’s kind of of a curveball. However given the circumstances, Deila feels they’re ready to sort out the two-game week, with no cross-country journey wanted whereas juggling a number of competitions.
“It is odd in fact to play in LA,” Deila advised reporters on his pre-match media availability. “On the identical time it is the best choice for us whenever you see the entire week, the entire interval collectively the place we could not play within the stadiums in New York. So it is good for us to journey right here, have good climate, and practice on even pitches, and the sport goes to be in a prime stadium as nicely. So in a method it is just a little bit bizarre, however in one other method it is good to be right here and it additionally will get us higher ready for the sport in opposition to Galaxy.”
Added defender Malte Amundsen: “We all the time like to play in entrance of our followers, I believe that is what everybody desires. However since we’re enjoying right here now, we’ve a really skilled set-up and we take the duty with knowledgeable mindset and we go to win the sport.”