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NEW YORK -- Frank Lampard believes that New York City FC can reach the postseason in 2016 and even accomplish something "special" in its second MLS season. "I do think we can make the playoffs," Lampard said Thursday in an interview with ESPN FC at Yankee Stadium. "I think last year we had the capability and could've done it, too. But being a new franchise made it difficult for us. I don't think there's any excuses this year. Obviously this club as a whole, we want to be there and if we're not we wont be happy. We're confident." A calf injury will prevent the Chelsea legend from suiting up for NYCFC's home opener against Toronto FC on Sunday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN/WatchESPN). The ailment forced Lampard to miss the club's 4-3 win against the Chicago Fire last Sunday in its first match of the new campaign. However the rare road victory -- NYCFC won just one of 17 games outside of the Bronx last year -- is one reason the 37-year-old is bullish on his team's chances this year. "We can't get carried away, but it really helps create a positive feeling throughout the squad and the training facility," Lampard said. "Everyone was really happy this week. It's a great start for us, but it's only one game and doesn't make our season. "The important thing is always the next game," Lampard added. "We need to get some more wins. I think that's were we suffered last year. We started slow and you always find that coming back isn't easy. If we can start well this year that will really help our road to the playoffs." Getting Lampard back on the field will help, too. Nagging leg injuries limited the ex-England man to just 10 appearances last year after he arrived midseason from Premier League power Manchester City, NYCFC's parent club. He doesn't expect his current calf problem to keep him sidelined for long. "It's getting better," Lampard said. "It was a small injury in the preseason that became a bit nasty, probably because I pushed it too hard, too fast. But it shouldn't keep me out for much longer." Although NYCFC disappointed in 2015, Lampard said the half-season he spent in New York was invaluable in terms of knowing exactly what to expect in MLS. "There's no easy games," he said. "You saw that with Portland winning [MLS Cup] last year from a very unfancied position going into the playoffs. I found every game is tough. It's not always like that in Europe, where there are two or three strong teams and the rest of the league isn't that strong. "I'm ready for it. I've been training hard -- maybe too hard, where I got injured -- but I'll be ready for it. I think I was when I came here to play. I knew the level was going to be high, and I think it has been." From a team point of view, Lampard said that the key to NYCFC having a successful year is to be tougher defensively. City conceded 58 goals last year, tied for most in the 20-team league. It they can be stingier in 2016, Lampard is convinced that New York City FC can compete toe-to-toe with MLS's best. "We've got all the backing in the world," Lampard said. "Our fan base was a great success story last year. We have fantastic owners and a great manager. I think now we're in a really good spot to do something special. "We were a new club last year," he continued. "We did have excuses. Now we're still relatively new, but this year we have the opportunity to give this city and the fans the team that they deserve."
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