After rocky introduction to MLS, Frank Lampard finally set for NYCFC debut

Frank Lampard's first impression on MLS was a rocky one, with him winding up in Manchester City for a year instead of starting NYCFC's inaugural season on time. At long last, he's set for his club debut this weekend.

NEW YORK – When Frank Lampard appeared on Yankee Stadium’s jumbotron alongside Italian legend Andrea Pirlo during New York City FC’s recent home match against the crosstown rival Red Bulls, the home crowd erupted in jubilant applause. Yet, when the noise became audible, “We want Pirlo!” was clearly the chant that echoed throughout the stadium.

The fans' chants seemed to favor Pirlo over Lampard, but they weren’t choosing between the two stars. The Pirlo speculation leading up to his eventual signing was only a couple months old.

Lampard's is an entirely different story. The English veteran was a marquee signing for NYCFC last summer–so we thought–but then embarked on a season-long stay with Manchester City through the spring that confounded the American soccer community as it unfolded. At long last, he'll make his debut for NYCFC against Toronto FC on Sunday.

[Editor's Note: NYCFC ruled Lampard out for the match Friday after he injured his calf in training]

He is rested, excited and ready to become the talk of the town for all the right reasons.

“I feel good. I don’t feel fatigue or tired in the mind or anything,” Lampard told SI.com this week. “The whole part of it being such a new challenge to me has put a spring in my step, if anything.” 

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It’s been a long road to this point. When the team announced Lampard’s acquisition last summer, he was part of the club's initial big splash. Spanish forward David Villa signed first, but Lampard following suit was a statement to the masses that NYCFC was making a real attempt to put a special product on the field.

The story is well documented from there.

Lampard, as it turned out, had never signed a contract with NYCFC, not until January. He went to Manchester City for the start of the Premier League season, performed well, and wound up remaining there for the duration of the campaign. At that point, Lampard, from across the Atlantic, became the face of the NYCFC’s growing perception among misled and disappointed fans and detractors alike that it was just a pawn for Manchester City and City Football Group as a whole.

“I’ve been watching from afar, particularly when the team was losing a few games early [in the] season. It was difficult for me not to be here. I’d like to think I’m quite a straight fellow and my word was to sign for New York,” Lampard said. “I’m not trying to wipe my hands of it. I am a man. I make my own decisions. I just felt right to carry on playing [for the rest of the EPL season].”

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​Lampard played well for Manchester City in the first half of the EPL season; he scored six goals in 17 total appearances for the defending league champions when his extension was announced during the holiday season.

The significant decrease in his playing time that followed the New Year was even more of a surprise to Lampard than anyone else, given his decision to stay in Manchester.

“I did get slightly frustrated through January, February, March; I’m not going to lie. A footballer wants to play games,” Lampard said. “I thought I’d play more matches, obviously. I looked at New York, I knew that’s what I’d signed up for; it was a strange feeling.”

Manchester City is now in his rearview mirror, and Lampard says he’s ready to help change NYCFC’s fortunes. He’s watched the club's inaugural season since March and has paid attention to MLS since David Beckham’s arrival in 2007. He knows that NYCFC has overall had a rough go of things thus far–although it has won four of its last five matches after winning only one of its first 13–but also knows that there is plenty of room for optimism.

“I’m a realist. I look at the squad, I look at the quality we’ve got and the ambition; there’s not ambition here to be a middle-of-the-road team,” Lampard said. “I see an upward curve. It’s easy to say these words, but action is the only thing that will matter.”

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On the field, Lampard says the team suffers more from an expansion team’s growing pains than any major deficiency. He says that focus and communication are things that can be improved by time and familiarity.

The fact that the team hasn’t yet found a consistent identity could end up helping Lampard and Pirlo settle into the NYCFC midfield with minimal disturbance.

“We have to be aware that we are coming in halfway though, but with my experience and Andrea’s experience, hopefully we can bring real positives to the team,” Lampard said. “Another important part is, as a Designated Player, to have the right attitude. We have to want to work with the squad and not say ‘here we are, it’s all going to change now.’ That’s not football anywhere.”

Lampard’s strengths, which are getting forward, arriving in the penalty box and scoring goals, mesh well with Pirlo’s ability to pass the ball and control the game.

“He’s probably the best in the world at it and has been for a long time,” Lampard said of Pirlo.

Lampard said he’s gained a lot of respect for Mix Diskerud’s energy and quality on the ball while watching NYCFC during the season’s first half. The potential for a dynamic midfield is there, but Lampard was quick to state the importance of the team as opposed to single players.

“You’ve got different qualities from all of us. I think it’s a nice mix there,” Lampard said, laughing at his own pun. “And not just us three. There are other players. It’s on the manager [Jason Kreis] to put us in the positions to get the best of us.”

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The honeymoon phase of Lampard’s NYCFC career, given his first MLS impression, is over.

He’s had his break since the end of Manchester City’s season, but once he kicks the ball for the first time in New York, he’ll be counted on to deliver immediately. NYCFC currently holds the seventh spot in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 20 points through 18 games.

The club is 15 points below East-leading D.C. United and five points above the cellar-dwelling Chicago fire.

In England, NYCFC’s position is near the point that fans start using the phrase “better luck next year.” Stateside, in the home of the playoffs, Lampard’s optimism is far more justified. The team has plenty of time to find its way to the postseason, and Lampard relishes the pressure on his shoulders to help chart that course.

“I wouldn’t want to come to a club and not have pressure. That means you’re on holiday,” Lampard said. “I’m going to try to play my best every game, win every game. If we all do that, if we take momentum into the back end of the season and we get into the playoffs, you’ve seen it many times before; the team with the momentum at that point can go on and win it. It could be set up very nicely for us if we hit the ground running.”

Lampard is about six months late. There’s nothing he can do to go back and change NYCFC’s first half, but few have the opportunity to make a bigger impact on his team’s second half than he will. Should the team fail to make the playoffs, it will be difficult to avoid the “if Lampard were here on time” arguments. But before he even gets the chance to win over his new fans, he is already eyeing extending his stay.

“I’d like to play for another two to three years,” Lampard said. “I have 18 months here now, I’d love to extend that. The club has already said ‘we’ll see how things go and we’ll talk.’ I’m happy to do that.”

As for another winter foray back to England, Lampard is not even entertaining the question. According to him, from now until the team takes back the uniform, he is Frank Lampard of New York City Football Club. 

"No. I can tell you I won’t [go on loan]," Lampard said. "I might train somewhere in England to keep fit, but I won’t be playing anywhere else. I’ve had my time in the Premier League and in Europe. I’m fully focused here. Come November or December, whenever the season ends for us, I think it’ll be important for me to rest and prepare for the preseason next year."

GALLERY: New York's pro soccer war

New York's Pro Soccer War: Red Bulls, NYCFC, Cosmos

The New York Red Bulls and New York Cosmos walk out to line up ahead of their 2014 U.S. Open Cup clash at Hofstra University's Shuart Stadium.

New York Red Bulls' Chris Duvall (25) takes on the Cosmos' Hagop Chirishian in their 2014 U.S. Open Cup clash.

Tempers flare in the New York Red Bulls' 2014 U.S. Open Cup match against the New York Cosmos, which was won by the NASL team 3-0.

Ambroise Oyongo goes airborn in the New York Red Bulls' 2014 U.S. Open Cup match against the New York Cosmos.

Mads Stokkelien celebrates one of his two goals in the New York Cosmos' 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup.

Mads Stokkelien scored twice in leading the New York Cosmos over the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in the 2014 U.S. Open Cup fourth round.

David Villa signs an autograph for a young NYCFC fan at Red Bull Arena in the club's first match against the New York Red Bulls.

Red Bulls fans celebrate a goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips in the club's first match against NYCFC.

NYCFC captain David Villa, right, takes exception with Red Bulls midfielders Felipe, Dax McCarty and Sacha Kljestan in a heated moment in NYCFC's first match against the Red Bulls.

NYCFC's Pablo Alvarez tries to get by a throng of Red Bulls defenders in a 2-1 loss for the MLS expansion club at Red Bull Arena on May 10, 2015.

NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders makes a save on Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips in the inaugural match between the two clubs, won by the Red Bulls 2-1.

Red Bulls defenders Karl Ouimette, right, and Damien Perrinelle congratulate each other while NYCFC's Patrick Mullins looks on after a 2-1 Red Bulls victory.

The scoreboard tells all, as the Red Bulls win the inaugural MLS match against expansion club NYCFC on May 10, 2015 at Red Bull Arena.

The starting XI for NYCFC and the New York Cosmos team take the field, preparing to kick off their U.S. Open Cup fourth-round match

The New York Cosmos supporters' section helps set the atmosphere for their fourth-round U.S. Open Cup match against NYCFC. The game, dubbed the East River Derby, was the first match between the two sides.

The New York Cosmos supporters look on with focused apprehension as they watch their Cosmos fight to come from behind against NYCFC in the second half of their U.S. Open Cup fourth-round match.

Over 1,000 New York City FC supporters made the trip to Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium, the home of the New York Cosmos, to witness the inaugural match between the two sides.

NYCFC defender R.J. Allen pushes the ball across midfield surrounded by a trio of teammates and two Cosmos defenders during the first half of their U.S. Open Cup fourth-round match

New York Cosmos defender Hunter Gorskie (3) and midfielder Sebastian Ignacio Guenzatti Varela (13) chase after NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku (88) as he runs toward goal.

New York Cosmos defender Hunter Gorskie (3) and midfielder Hunter Restrepo (20) get into a physical midfield battle with NYCFC midfielder Pablo Alvarez (22) and forward Patrick Mullins (14).

In the 24th minute, NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku (88) successfully executes a bicycle kick, beating Cosmos defender Ayoze Garcia Perez (17) and goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (1) for the first goal in the teams' first matchup.

NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku (88) and forward Patrick Mullins (14) run toward the away supporters section to celebrate Poku’s goal in front of their fans.

NYCFC midfielder Mix Diskerud (10) and the NYCFC supporters join forward Patrick Mullins (14) in celebrating Kwadwo Poku’s (88) opening goal against the New York Cosmos.

In the 57th minute of their U.S. Open Cup fourth-round match, Cosmos star attacker Raul (7) moves the ball into the attacking third, slipping it past midfielder Kwadwo Poku (88), NYCFC’s man of the match.

In the second half of their U.S. Open Cup fourth-round match, NYCFC midfielder Kwadwo Poku (88) fires a shot toward Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (1). Maurer was unable to save it, giving Poku his second goal of the game

The New York Cosmos supporters section reacts to Lucky Mkosana’s (77) equalizing goal in the 91st minute, which sent the game to extra time. The Cosmos would go on to beat NYCFC in penalties, 4-3, to set up a round-of-16 clash vs. the Red Bulls.

New York Cosmos' Hunter Gorskie celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty kick to send the NASL side by NYCFC in the U.S. Open Cup.

New York City FC home fans celebrate midfielder Tommy McNamara’s goal in the sixth minute of the team’s match against the New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium, ultimately won by the Red Bulls 3-1.

NYCFC striker and captain David Villa sends a free kick into traffic near the New York Red Bulls’ goal in the first half of their clash at Yankee Stadium on June 28.

New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) beats NYCFC defender R.J. Allen (27) and puts a strike on goal during the second half of their June 28 match at Yankee Stadium.

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (right) reacts to receiving a yellow card for a foul on NYCFC striker David Villa (far right).

New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) gets technical with the ball, controlling it while under pressure from NYCFC defender Jason Hernandez (21) and midfielder Javier Calle (30).

New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle (55) shakes off Kwadwo Poku (88) and Mix Diskerud (10) during the second half of the season’s second Red Bulls-NYCFC clash.

New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (left) celebrates with fellow striker Mike Grella (middle) and midfielder Felipe (right) after scoring the Red Bulls' first goal of the match, which tied the game less than two minutes into the second half.

NYCFC striker David Villa (7) takes a free kick in the second half of the home match against New York Red Bulls. Defenders Damien Perrinelle (55) and Matt Miazga (20), midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) and striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) make up the defensive wall.

The New York Red Bulls run over to their bench to celebrate defender Chris Duvall’s (25) first goal in Major League Soccer. Strikers Mike Grella (13) and Anatole Abang (9) and defender Matt Miazga (20) join coach Jesse Marsch in the post goal embrace.

The traveling fans sitting in the New York Red Bulls’ supporters section at Yankee Stadium react to the third and final Red Bulls goal of the match, scored by defender Matt Miazga (20) in the 73rd minute of a 3-1 road win over NYCFC.

After a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls, NYCFC midfielder Mix Diskerud (10) throws a ball into the home supporters section. The gesture earned Diskerud one final cheer from his fans despite the result.

The New York Cosmos (Blue) and the New York Red Bulls (White) shake hands before the beginning of their U.S. Open Cup fifth-round match at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle (55) and New York Cosmos midfielder Walter Restrepo (20) collide while vying for the ball in the first half of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup fifth-round match at Red Bull Arena.

New York Red Bulls midfielder Sam Zizzo (15), already with a goal to his name in the match, fires a header toward Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (1).

New York Red Bulls captain Dax McCarty (right) and Cosmos midfielder Andrés Alexander Flores Mejía (center) meet each other at the ball mid-flight in the first half of their U.S. Open Cup fifth-round match.

New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) takes and makes the penalty kick, giving his side a 3-1 advantage over the Cosmos in the 54th minute of their 2015 U.S. Open Cup fifth-round match.

New York Red Bulls striker Anatole Abang (9) goes 1-on-1 against New York Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (1) in the first half of their U.S. Open Cup fifth-round match.

New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle (55) and the Red Bulls’ supporters section call for a penalty after Cosmos defender Hunter Gorskie (3) fouled Red Bulls defender Chris Duvall (25) inside of the penalty box. Duvall broke his leg on the play.

New York Red Bulls striker Mike Grella (13) celebrates his goal, the Red Bulls’ seventh in a week against the two other New York teams. The 4-1 result against the Cosmos was preceded four days prior by a 3-1 victory over NYCFC.

Red Bulls striker Anatole Abang (far right), captain Dax McCarty (middle), defender Anthony Wallace (left) and midfielder Dane Richards (far left) make their celebratory lap around Red Bull Arena with the blue jerseys they exchanged with members of the New York Cosmos. Defender Matt Miazga (20) and striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) are also pictured.

Red Bulls fans take a shot at NYCFC's two summer arrivals, 37-year-old Frank Lampard and 36-year-old Andrea Pirlo, ahead of their third MLS meeting of 2015.

Bradley Wright-Phillips celebrates his goal that gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead over NYCFC in their third meeting of the 2015 season.

Frank Lampard and Dax McCarty battle for the ball at midfield. McCarty's Red Bulls came out on top again, completing the season sweep with an Aug. 9 2-0 win.

Red Bulls midfielder Felipe leaves his feet trying to stop NYCFC's David Villa. The former iced the 2-0 win at Red Bull Arena with a goal.