"We have to improve the way we want to play the game," Coach Patrick Vieira said. Photograph by Matt Kremkau

By CHRISTIAN ARAOS

In 10 minutes, the duality of Patrick Vieira was clear. As the New York City FC squad gathered in a practice huddle, Vieira raised his voice challenging them to make quicker decisions on the ball. The media members standing 70 yards away could hear every word of his speech, and when he met with them minutes later, Vieira was calm, cordial and back to speaking coyly about what he wants from his team.

“We have to take it game by game,” Vieira said. “We have to improve the way we want to play the game. The way you play will dictate what you will achieve at the end. What I really want is the team to play and then we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

By and large, NYCFC is checking the boxes. The club is playing back-to-front well, creating chances while not conceding many and getting results. NYCFC has seven points through its first four games and a plus-4 goal differential. But Vieira eventually elaborated and explained that good performances may or may not yield good results, but if he can get the players to continue to refine themselves then the long-term rewards will come.

“We know that the season is really long and really tough and really difficult,” he said. “It’s important for us to focus on our next game and to think about how we can improve and play better as a team. Then, we’ll play better and we’ll have more chances to win games. Sometimes, we can play really well but they may score a goal or there may be an offside, something that we can’t control. What is important is to concentrate on ourselves, how we want to play and if we manage to play well then we’re going to have a chance to win the game.”

It’s fair for Vieira to ask for more from his team going into its two-game road swing. Although it’s April, the games against D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union give the Pigeons an opportunity to stack up points against teams that have had a slow start. And for a team like City that has depth and youth, now’s a good time to remind the team that a smooth start doesn’t guarantee that the waters ahead are calm.

Lewis Out for Saturday

The only bit of injury news for the week involves Jonathan Lewis who Coach Patrick Vieira said would not be available for the match because of a minor injury. Lewis did some individual training Wednesday and Vieira expects him to return to full training early next week. Lewis’ injury likely means another opportunity for Khiry Shelton to make the game day roster. Shelton was a last-minute sub in last weekend’s game against the San Jose Earthquakes.

NYCFC Signs an eSports Player

NYCFC signed Hempstead, N.Y., native Christopher Holly to be their first eSports player. The club will sponsor him as Holly competes in FIFA tournaments for PS4. He is listed within the top-five of all FIFA Ultimate Team players on PlayStation 4.

“It’s an honor to represent NYCFC,” Holly said in a statement on NYCFC.com. “It’s a chance of a lifetime, I’m really excited and looking forward to the future. I never thought this would happen so when the club contacted me, I was shocked and now I’m really looking forward to it. I think NYCFC has some great players such as Pirlo and David Villa. They’re players I used to watch when I was younger so now that they’re in the MLS and in New York, it’s great.”

Holly is the second E-Sports player signed by City Football Group. Manchester City signed Kez Brown last year and Brown serves as both player, mascot and content creator. They will compete in tournaments, participate in fan outreach and make the odd YouTube video.

“At New York City FC, we are always looking for new ways to innovate and get closer to our fans,” said Diego Gigliani the senior vice president for media and innovation at CFG. “We are delighted to welcome Christopher Holly to the club to represent NYCFC as the first ever eSports player in MLS.”