New York City FC, owned by the same group as Manchester City, will play their first ever match tonight as they take on Scottish outfit St Mirren at the Etihad Stadium.
The New York squad were present as City snatched a point from Hull City thanks to a late James Milner free kick last weekend.
New York City FC was set up by the Abu Dhabi United Group as part of their stable of football clubs, which includes Man City, Yokohama F-Marinos in Japan, and Australia’s Melbourne City FC.
NYCFC Sporting director and former Man City midfielder Claudio Reyna said on arrival at City’s new training complex: “It’s a great environment for players to train and develop.
“I have never seen anything like it in terms of the magnificent attention to detail across the facility, and there are many more exciting days ahead.
“I’m expecting a good game against St Mirren and it will be a good test for us against a club in the middle of their season while we are only in pre-season.”
New York will also play Brondby at the Etihad on Sunday February 15, before their first competitive fixture against Orlando City in the MLS on March 8.
Their first home game will come on March 15 against the New Engalnd Revolution at the historic Yankee Stadium, their home for the season.
Season tickets at Yankee Stadium start from as little as $306 (around £200) to watch a squad that includes former England captain Frank Lampard and World Cup winner David Villa.
“David’s a great personality and an incredible professional,” Reyna said.
“He’s working really hard and he’s very excited about New York City and building the future of this club.
“You’ll see a world class player who works hard and is an amazing leader for our team.”
Lampard on the other hand, will be with sister club Man City until at least the end of the season, after a complicated deal which originally seemed to be a loan from New York City, until it transpired that the Englishman’s contract was in fact with the Manchester club.
The team will be under the stewardship of American coach Jason Creis, a former US international, who has recently spent time in Manchester getting to know the club as part of the partnership.
Tickets are still available for just £5 for the historic fixture.
Good time with the team watching @MCFC match at Etihad Stadium Disfrutando con el equipo viendo al Manchester City pic.twitter.com/BNybkEYt1e
— David Villa (@Guaje7Villa) February 7, 2015
Main image courtesy of Major League Soccer via YouTube, with thanks.
