NYCFC near full strength for MLS season opener against Columbus

You’re only as good as the players you have available to you. And coming off a taxing two-legged CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 against AD San Carlos, fitness is the ultimate question for New York City FC going into Sunday’s MLS season opener against the Columbus Crew on the road.

Fortunately, NYCFC come into this one relatively healthy. The only player listed on the team’s latest injury report is Gudmundur Thórarinsson — the team’s newest signing — who has been ruled out due to an undisclosed lower body injury.

After Wednesday’s 1-0 CCL win over San Carlos, NYCFC manager Ronny Deila implied that there would be few changes in the squad for Sunday. Despite a busy March schedule, expect a lineup heavily resembling their strongest squad against the Crew.