Predicting New York City FC's Starting XI Next Season in MLS

It's Inside Manchester City Week at Bleacher Report and Day 3 brings a look at how City's sister club, New York City FC, might line up next season.

More from Inside City Week—Dzeko exclusive, Angus Gunn exclusive, Toni Duggan exclusive, City launch new app, Best City Academy Stars

It is an exciting time in New York as new MLS franchise New York City FC is nearing its first official season. The Manchester City-inspired club has already made a few big signings ahead of the 2015 season and there are more expected to join.

As of this moment, NYCFC officially has six players on their squad. That certainly isn’t enough to field a squad next season, let alone a lineup for their first match. But the club is hard at work trying to fill the rest of the squad with quality footballers.

In this article we will try to predict what NYCFC’s starting lineup will look like when the 2015 season kicks off. Granted, with only six players on the squad, the possible lineup will rely on players rumored to be on the club’s radar in recent months.

Also bear in mind that this predicted lineup will be based heavily around the players that are already a part of New York City FC. Based on the players available, we will be using a 3-4-3 lineup, though at this point any lineup is pure conjecture.

As always, feel free to get involved in the discussion in the comment section below and tell us how you would like to see NYCFC line up in their first MLS season!

Goalkeeper

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Josh Saunders is already a member of NYCFC and looks to be the club's first-choice goalkeeper from Day 1. Already with a rich MLS career, Saunders is the perfect type of keeper to lead this new franchise in their inaugural campaign.

The 33-year-old keeper is highly experienced and understands the game well. His leadership skills will also be key in a lineup that will lack familiarity and it makes sense that he would be handed a key role in the squad already.

With only one keeper in the squad it is clear that New York will have to bring in at least one other shot-stopper to provide depth, however, no one is doubting that Saunders will be the starter.

Defenders

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Luckily for NYCFC, the club already have two defenders in their current squad. Although the club will still need to bring in several more defenders, the ones they boast at this point should have fans excited about what is to come.

Jeb Brovsky joined NYCFC from the Montreal Impact in 2014 after two very solid seasons for the Canadian outfit. At 25 years of age, he will be entering his peak soon but still has plenty of room to grow as a leader in the New York back line.

Along with Brovsky will be Kwame Watson-Siriboe, who joined the club from Real Salt Lake.

Watson-Siriboe may not be as complete a defender as Brovsky, but he does have experience and the hunger to fight for a place in the MLS. At 27 it is time for him to step up and NYCFC is hoping that he will find his best form in 2015.

If statements are to be believed, Andres Mendoza should be the third defender to join NYCFC.

During an interview with Ecuador paper La Republica (h/t EmpireOfSoccer.com), Mendoza claimed he had joined New York City FC, though the club are yet to give a comment on the claim. For now, Mendoza is not a member of the squad but anything could happen at this point.

The 25-year-old would be a solid addition to the new MLS club but fans will have to be patient to see what happens.

With only three defenders currently at the club or on their radar, this predicted lineup will contain a three center back defensive unit.

Midfielders

Craig Ruttle/Associated Press

While the defense is currently a major question mark for New York City, the midfield is another story altogether. With Frank Lampard and Andrew Jacobson already on the squad, the new MLS franchise has a lot to be excited about.

At this point, it looks certain that Jacobson will partner Lampard in the middle of the pitch, but they will need more to field a successful lineup. With the players currently being linked to the club, this predicted lineup yields two more midfielders to give NYCFC a solid core to anchor the lineup.

To begin with, rumors of a possible move to New York City by Barcelona star Xavi are still alive an well. According to a recent report from Radio Kanal Barcelona (h/t ESPN FC), Xavi is still open to the idea of moving to the MLS and talks are on the table about a move to the league this winter.

The thought of pairing Xavi with Lampard seems almost unreal, and if it does happen you can bet on NYCFC immediately being a force to be reckoned with.

However, Xavi is not the only European midfielder being linked with a move to NYCFC.

According to Sportmediaset (h/t Football Italia), Alberto Aquilani has been on New York City’s radar for quite some time and could join the club after his current deal with Fiorentina runs out.

If Xavi and Aquilani join NYCFC along with Frank Lampard, the new franchise could boast the strongest midfield unit in the MLS. Add Jacobson into the four-man midfield and the club is rock solid in the center of the pitch.

Forwards

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David Villa is already considered the face of New York City FC. The World Cup-winning striker was one of the marquee signings for the new franchise and promises to deliver results in the MLS.

There is no question that El Guaje will lead the attacking line in New York, but he can’t do it alone. Right now he is the only forward on the squad but others are being linked with a move to the MLS.

According to Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Football Italia), NYCFC are closely following Roma striker Marco Borriello, who could be the club’s next signing.

At 32 years of age, Borriello is in the twilight of his footballing career. He currently doesn’t have a role for Roma, which could make signing the striker fairly simple for NYCFC. At the same time, his experience playing football in Europe could prove valuable in the United States and make him the perfect complement to a star like David Villa.

With one more player needed to fill out this lineup, there is one more star being linked with a move to NYCFC.

According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post (via MLSsoccer.com), United States striker Juan Agudelo could be the next big star to join the New York City squad. Though the young striker is still hoping to ply his trade in England, the chance to join NYCFC is very much a possibility at this point.

Agudelo has been a U.S. starlet for a few years now, and staying in the MLS would be great for American soccer, as well as NYCFC. Additionally, pairing the 21-year-old with experienced strikers like Villa and Borriello could pay major dividends down the road for the new MLS club.

Again, it is nearly impossible to judge what the NYCFC lineup will look like in 2015. The current players at their disposal give cause for excitement but those rumored to possibly be joining the club are even more mouthwatering.

Could this 3-4-3 lineup truly be fielded next season? If so, how good could New York City FC really be? Leave your thoughts and comments below!