How Union are adjusting to Yankee Stadium's size

The successor to the House That Ruth Built may not be ideally suited for soccer. At least not for the players.

It's a place where they have little room to roam.

As scenic as the new Yankee Stadium may be, the dimensions of the field - it's the smallest in Major League Soccer - have forced the Union to alter their practice methods in preparation for their game there Thursday against New York City FC.

The Union's home field, PPL Park in Chester, is 120 by 75 yards. Yankee Stadium's is 110 by 70. That might not sound like much of a difference, but it is to the Union.

"It is a significant difference," Union coach Jim Curtin said. "Every first touch gets magnified."

That's why the Union (1-3-2) practiced on a shortened field this week, using cones.

The Union shrank their practice field to 104 by 68, which Curtin believes is a more accurate measurement of the Yankee Stadium field than the listed dimensions.

"Our sport has 10 field players and a goalkeeper, and any yard the field shrinks it gets tighter," Curtin said.

The Union and NYCFC (1-2-2) are meeting in the second of a home-and-home series. On Saturday at PPL Park, the Union won, 2-1, on Vincent Nogueira's goal during second-half stoppage time.

New York plays a possession game with few long passes. The team likes to methodically work the ball down the field. With more room to operate, NYCFC had some impressive sequences against the Union.

"New York was a better passing team on our field and kept the ball a lot better than we did," Curtin said. "Their midfield was very dangerous, and in some ways it could be beneficial for us to have that space shrunk a little bit and have us counterattack a little better."

 Records: Union, 1-3-2; New York City FC, 1-2-2.

Union on the road: 0-2-1. NYCFC at home: 1-1.

Goals: Union 7; NYCFC 4.

Goals against: Union 10; NYCFC 4.

Last meeting: The Union won, 2-1, Saturday at PPL Park.

Outlook: NYCFC will be missing midfielder Mix Diskerud, who was with the U.S. national team Wednesday for its friendly in San Antonio against Mexico. Defender Shay Facey (hip irritation/adductor strain), who did not play Saturday, is listed as doubtful for NYCFC. . . . Designated player and forward David Villa scored the goal against the Union and has two in four games. . . . The Union's Fernando Aristeguieta is listed as questionable with a left quadriceps strain. Defender Maurice Edu is also questionable. He injured his hamstring but played the entire game Saturday. . . . John McCarthy, who earned the win over NYCFC, will get his second MLS start in goal. - Marc Narducci

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