New York City FC: Inability to perform in big games continues

HARRISON, NJ – MAY 5 : Jesus Medina #19 of New York City falls to the ground in front of goalkeeper Luis Robles #31 of New York Red Bulls after missing the shot on goal during the New York Derby Major League Soccer match between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on May 5, 2018 in Harrison, NJ. New York Red Bulls won the match with a score of 4 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

New York City FC have struggled in important games in their three completed seasons and following Saturday’s loss, not much has changed.

Already in his third campaign in charge of New York City FC, head coach Patrick Vieira has rarely received criticism, and has even been rumored to make a step up in the world of soccer. The Frenchman turned his roster around from the struggling team formed by Jason Kreis to one of the strongest sides in Major League Soccer.

Despite his success in bringing the club to their fist and second playoffs, theres one thing he hasn’t quite gotten the hand of; big games. Whether it be against the Red Bulls, or game’s where theres a lot on the line, New York City FC have struggled to get consistent results no matter who their coach is.

Hudson River Derby

It took no time for New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls to develop a rivalry once the former was announced as an MLS expansion side in May of 2013. Fans league-wide were excited to see these two teams go head to head but quickly learned there was no competition on the pitch.

Under Kreis, the Red Bulls breezed past their new rivals, beating them in all three 2015 Hudson River Derbies. Once Kreis got the boot and Patrick Vieria took charge, fans thought City would provide a much bigger threat to their counterparts.

Oh how they were wrong. In Vieira’s first Hudson River Derby, the Red Bulls made Yankee Stadium their own, putting seven unanswered goals past the Pigeons.

Since that miserable day, New York City FC have found some success against their rivals across the river, but it has been very limited. Out of the eleven games played between the sides, just three have gone City’s way.

Just this Saturday we saw New York City FC’s pattern of folding in these games continue. Despite their strong start to the 2018 season and sitting on top of the league standings, NYCFC looked nothing like themselves once they entered Red Bull Arena.

The squad stood shook and lifeless after the hosts jumped to a 2 goal lead in just four minutes. Every attempt offensively went unsuccessful as it seemed like they were waiting for the final whistle to put them out of their misery, but that of course came after two more goals.

The Playoffs

Of course all credit goes to Patrick Vieira and New York City FC for earning their spot in the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, but their performances in these matches bring on well deserved criticism.

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Their first every playoff game took place in Toronto and after a 2-0 loss, things weren’t in the worst shape. City weren’t out of it entirely, especially returning home for the second leg but after 90 minutes past at Yankee Stadium, it was evident that NYCFC weren’t ready for big matches like these. Five goals put the aggregate deficit to 7-0, a scoreline City fan’s were not unfamiliar with.

Bowing out of the 2016 season in embarrassing fashion seemed to motivate the team as they had a phenomenal 2017 campaign. Back in postseason soccer however, none of that meant anything.

Fans were thrilled to find out that they’d take on Columbus Crew in the 2017 Eastern Conference semifinals, avoiding the dangerous Atlanta United. After the two legs were complete, it was obvious that who ever they faced would breeze past New York City FC.

At Mapfre Stadium, the Pigeons looked like amateurs, standing around while the hosts put four past them. An out-of-sorts Alexander Callens didn’t make this task any easier after he received a red card for elbowing Justin Meram in the face.

Although the second leg in the Bronx went much better for NYCFC, a 2-0 win wasn’t enough to prevent them from crashing out at the semifinals.

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Despite having the best squad in their young history, it seems like New York City FC are still haunted by their ability to perform in important games. If City want to see their first piece of silverware, or get the best of their rivals across the Hudson, this problem should be the first to solve.

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