MLS has had plenty of expansion teams throughout its history, and almost every one without fail has, well, failed. Most have lost, some of them at a historic rate. But none have had the combination of cash, coaching and championship quality that New York City FC will take into Sunday’s debut at Orlando City SC.
Will that be enough?
“I’m convinced we’ll have a great season,’’ NYCFC captain David Villa said. “The objective isn’t to beat Orlando, it is to beat everyone.’’
That’s a tall order. Of the 11 expansion teams that have entered MLS — discounting 2006 Houston, which was just relocated from San Jose — nine suffered losing records. The two that didn’t — the 1998 Chicago Fire and 2009 Seattle Sounders — went on to win U.S. Open Cup titles. On which end of that spectrum with NYCFC fall? Or will they be somewhere in the middle?
“I really don’t want to know [the history of expansion teams],’’ midfielder Mix Diskerud said. “If you know, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.’’
If any team expansion team is set up to succeed long-term, this might be the one. There are few coaches in this league better than Jason Kreis, with an MLS Cup on his resume. The club is co-owned by big-spending giants Manchester City and the Yankees, who bought two Designated Players — Villa and Frank Lampard, who arrives this summer — and won’t hesitate to spend on a third.
But if NYCFC are going to be the exception, here is how they will have to do it:
Goals
Shine that diamond
The same way Phil Jackson is known for the triangle, Kreis is associated with another shape: the diamond midfield. But just as many question whether the Knicks have the personnel to run it, many ask if NYCFC has the roster for the diamond. Or more succinctly, do they have a Kyle Beckerman?
They don’t have a classic No. 6 who can sit at the bottom of the diamond, break up attacks then initiate the offense the way the dreadlocked midfielder did for Real Salt Lake. Andrew Jacobson struggled in the role in the preseason game vs. Orlando, and they looked better when Kreis scrapped the diamond midway through. Sunday’s rematch actually counts.
“[It’s overblown]. He’s very flexible,’’ Reyna told The Post. “Jason’s always evaluating players, and the overall team, how it best works. For him it’s more important where players best fit. … He can move [formations] around.’’
Shore up that defense
All of NYCFC’s attacking talent won’t help if they leak goals. LB Chris Wingert is a journeyman, veteran Jason Hernandez is a solid but unspectacular short-term fix, and maddening CB George John never is fit, missing 11 games in 2012, 20 the next year and all of last season with injuries. The 27-year-old John staying healthy might be the best news NYCFC could get.
Start some chemistry
This needs to be done on the field and in the stands. It never is easy to throw a team together from scratch, and they will have to deal with more changes in the summer, Lampard and a possible third DP (Xavi?). They also must build Yankee Stadium into a true home-field advantage.
“We drove past it, and it was all lit up. It gave chills down my spine just thinking about [playing there],’’ Diskerud said. “We’re trying to get a huge crowd, the most noise as possible. I heard New Yorkers are pretty good at that, so I’m excited.
“To be able to play in that stadium is going to be just fantastic. We’re going to create an atmosphere for the fans and everybody that trying to learn soccer and enjoy it to get that feeling that this is something special.’’
Style
Clearly Kreis wants a diamond midfield. How quickly they take to it — and how well the readjust midstream once Lampard deigns to show up in the summer — will play a huge factor in their season.
Schedule
at Orlando City SC, March 8 (5 p.m., ESPN2)
With a sellout crowd of more than 60,000 at the Citrus Bowl, and stars like Villa and Orlando’s Kaka on the field, it should be a great advertisement for MLS.
vs. New England Revolution, March 15 (5 p.m., ESPN2)
NYCFC’s home opener has far surpassed 25,000 tickets sold and forced the Stadium to open the 300 level, with team president Tom Glick saying “This is a landmark moment for our club and for soccer in New York.’’
at Red Bulls, May 10 (7 p.m., FS1)
The first installment of this rivalry could get feisty. Diskerud already let it be known “I hate the Red Bull.’’ Oh, the South Ward will love him.
at Real Salt Lake, May 23 (10 p.m., YES)
Kreis’ return to Rio Tinto Stadium, facing the team he coached to the 2009 MLS Cup title and a finals loss in 2013.
vs. Red Bulls, June 28 (5 p.m., ESPN2)
This time NYC FC gets the rematch in the Bronx, or as Diskerud said, “the right side of [the river].’’