New York City FC were slaughtered at their beloved Hudson River rivals, New York Red Bulls, but fret not, Cityzens, and avoid that panic button.
There was not a more dominant team through the first six, seven weeks of the season than New York City FC. Their attack was clicking into place and everyone was contributing, even with David Villa out. Players like Ismael Tajouri were stepping up and making his absence a non-factor.
They were undefeated, unstoppable, and firing on all cylinders, including on defense, which has been a steady work in progress over the past few years.
And yet, these past three weeks have been a far cry from the promising start. After losing 3-0 away at stumbling Portland, New York City FC recovered nicely to hand FC Dallas their first loss of the season in the Bronx.
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And then came the New York Red Bulls. After rebounding and finding themselves in excellent health, NYCFC had a padded distance between them and their Jersey cousins, thanks to the Red Bulls involvement in the CONCACAF Champions League. They were back to full might for this one, but given the might of both sides, it figured to be, at the very least, a tough battle.
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It was’t. The Cityzens were slaughtered to the tune of 4-0. Meaning that, if the Red Bulls use their two games in hand well enough, they can pass up their sky blue neighbors, as can Orlando City, which could see New York City FC fall as far as fourth in the table, when they seemed like shoe-ins for the MLS Eastern Conference in the early stages.
But it’s far from panic time. Having played ten games thus far into the season, New York City FC have still only lost two matches, which is tied for second best in MLS behind fiery Atlanta United and an FC Dallas that the Cityzens already beat.
And speaking of Atlanta United, NYCFC traveled to Atlanta and drew 2-2 in a match the likes of which we were expecting to see in Jersey.
The Red Bulls are a thorn in the side of the City-dwellers. Even in the recent upturn in the rivalry, that has still been the case. But it won’t be enough to derail a powerful New York City FC behind a brilliant mind in Patrick Vieira.
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If nothing else, it is a wake-up call, which all teams need every once in awhile. So buckle up for the trip to LAFC next Sunday.