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RESPECT

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New England Revolution coach Jay Heap says that his team will completely respect New York Red Bulls when the two teams come up against each other in the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday. New York Red Bulls have one of the potent attacking lineups in the MLS due to the presence of players like Bradley Wright Phillips and Thierry Henry. The former Arsenal forward may have left European football a few years back, but he continues to be a dominant force. Jay Heap says that his team will be paying special attention to Henry, but that does not mean other players can be forgotten.

Jay Heap has managed to transform New England in a great way since taking over the club a few years ago. The club wanted to bring through a number of young players. After finishing in the play-offs, New England are hoping to go one step better this time around. Even though the players within the team are going to play a crucial role, Heap will also be aware that veterans like Jermaine Jones will have a major part to play in such big matches. The experience of those players could make a huge difference given that New York Red Bulls have a number of experienced heads like Henry and Tim Cahill.

“We have a lot of respect for New York. They’ve got a great balance. When I look at them now at this part of the season it’s their balance all over the field. They’ve anchored the midfield with Dax McCarty and [Eric] Alexander. Those two guys really put out a lot of fires and it allows their attacking players to play. You give Henry some freedom, you give Bradley Wright-Phillips some freedom, you give Lloyd Sam, [Peguy] Luyindula some freedom, they’re dangerous. That balance … is really in good form,” said Heap.

WILL LAMPARD STAY?

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Frank Lampard has not yet confirmed that he intends to stay at Manchester City till the end of the English league campaign. The former Chelsea midfielder moved to New York City FC in the summer as one of the most high-profile arrivals for MLS. Since New York City will not be part of the MLS until the 2015 season, Lampard moved to City on a six-month loan spell in order to keep up his fitness levels. The 36-year-old has been a surprise success at Etihad stadium after managing to play a key role in the club’s title challenge.

The prospect of continuing to play with one of the top leagues around the world does seem to be appealing for the former England international. He has stated on to a football blogger several occasions that the possibility to extend the loan spell is not beyond him. Even City manager Manuel Pellegrini expressed his desire to keep Lampard beyond this current loan spell. Lampard is expected to return to New York City in the early weeks of February. He could potentially be an important player during January when midfielder Yaya Touré takes off to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Lampard’s agent has failed to confirm that his client will return to New York City in January. The player is currently injured and is expected to come back to the first-team shortly. “All I can say is how much I’m enjoying it at City. I’m contracted here until the end of December, and my future will be at New York City at some stage. All I can do now is go week by week and play as well as I can when I am playing to bring a good contribution,” said Lampard a few weeks ago. “Fingers crossed, if all goes well over the next couple of days, I’ll be back in contention (to play),” said Lampard about his injury situation.