Vieira: Players Make Choosing XI So Difficult

Patrick Vieira has named an unchanged XI for the last three games but it’s getting increasingly difficult for him.

Those not involved in either the 11 or 18 are working harder than ever before to push for spots, knowing that competition for places at NYCFC is fiercer than ever before.

While he says he won’t change too much for this latest clash with DC United at RFK Stadium as his team is in a good place, Vieira knows that he has plenty of talent to call upon, should the collective level drop.

He told NYCFC.com: “Everyone is working really hard to start games and doing well.

"Some are coming in from the bench and having an impact on games. That’s why making the 18 or the 11 is very difficult for me but that’s the job and that’s what I want from them, to make every single decision very difficult for myself and that’s how we’re going to be a successful football club.

“We’re going to keep to our formation and shape and we’ll go there to try to improve our passing game. Nothing will change because I’m really happy with the players who played the last game. We’ll try to stick with our philosophy and try to play “

Vieira’s men ran out handsome 4-0 victors over DC in the last meeting last month but Patrick will take nothing for granted this time.

He knows that any points taken away from Washington will be hard won, especially seeing as DC won their last home game against Philadelphia Union – their first three points of the year.

“It was a really good performance when we played DC at home,” Vieira remembered.

“We played really well, created a lot of chances and managed to scored four which was really good from the team.

“I’ve been watching the last two games that DC played and they played really well – they’re in a good period at the moment. They managed to win the last game they played at home, so it’s going to be a difficult one.

“I remember last year when we played here and it was tough and we’re expecting the same type of game but we’re going to be ready. We’ll be going there to try to play the way we know.”

It’s NYCFC’s second road game of the campaign and, following the defeat to Orlando on the opening weekend, Patrick wants to make sure the team wins away for the first time in 2017.

He added: “You just want to win your next game – home or away. We always want to try to control the game and to play our game and of course it’s difficult sometimes but we want to try and win every single game we play.

“We’ll treat this game in the same way we approached the home game, with a good gameplan and to try to win.”