New York City FC: No longer “Manchester City West”

New York City FC are mocking referred to as Manchester City West, but thankfully, this push towards independence looks like the real deal.

I’m going to get a bit personal here. As a New York City FC supporter and founding member, I always struggled with their strong ties to Manchester City. Like child and parent. The club was mocked for it, they were teased for suckling on the Manchester City teat, propped up by unlimited money to purchase superstars that brought little more than a passionate fanbase.

Here we are, just a few seasons into their existence, and we are already seeing signs that it was all a temporary measure.

New York Red Bulls, over in New Jersey, were constantly boasting a pool of fresh young talent that they brought up through their very own academy. It was a point of pride for them and a point of jealousy for those that wanted the Cityzens to “do it right.”

Related Story: MLS: Top 5 Goals From Matchweek 3

There was no reason to be worried early on. They were brand new. You can’t have a good farm system when you’re brand new. There’s no way around that. But there is always a concern that maybe the club will rely on star power and big money signings and not build internall the way they should, despite the mass of young talent in the New England area.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Call it a stubborn fear.

New York City FC recently announced the signing of their second ever home grown player in Joe Scally. Just 15 years old, NYCFC have a lot of hopes invested in this young right back, who has one hell of a model to look up to in new signing Anton Tinnerholm.

Scally follows James Sands, who is already making waves at the youth international level as one of the calmest young defensive minded players out there.

Again, I wouldn’t say I was necessarily worried that this wouldn’t happen. I was moreso tired of having to field a team full of Manchester City loanees and age-old superstars. That has faded and faded and continues to fade, showing that the club is absolutely headed in the right, independent direction.

They are gradually shaking off that “Manchester City West” mantra that I had hated so damn much and they are assuming control of their own destiny, as any club should.

Next: New York City FC: 5 Takeaways From Perfect Start

Of course, there will always be something to fall back on, but until that comes to pass, we can pretend like it isn’t there.