New York City FC have won just one in their last four, including a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the New York Red Bulls. But now, they have the perfect chance to get right, hosting the Colorado Rapids on Friday night. The time is now for the recovery to start.
New York City FC were the talk of the town. After Patrick Vieira had steadily improved the team each year, with every passing week, his philosophy further implemented on a squad of blossoming, exciting young talents, this was the season that it all came together. Or so it seemed.
They were the last team in MLS to fail to win, victorious in each of their first three games. They were unbeaten in their first seven games, including wins against Sporting Kansas City and a draw against Atlanta United, the two other truly elite teams at this early stage of the season. They sat atop the MLS standings. They were the cream of the crop.
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Or so it seemed.
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In their last four games, New York have won just one, a 3-1 victory against FC Dallas, drawn one, this past weekend against Los Angeles FC in one of the most pulsating affairs you will see all season, and lost twice, both times were by at least three goals — a shock 3-0 loss to the Portland Timbers, that suddenly ended their unbeaten record; followed soon after by a 4-0 Hudson River derby loss against the New York Red Bulls.
And although they were able to steady the ship somewhat against LAFC, this has still been the worst run of the season for Vieira’s side, seeing them drop below both Atlanta and Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference, though they do have a game-in-hand on the latter and will leapfrog them with a win.
David Villa, the ageing but still brilliant talisman at the heart of this vibrant and bright team, admitted that the squad is still recovering from the mental hammering that the Red Bull loss inflicted:
"“It’s been a difficult week after everything that happened the other day with the Red Bulls. The team reacted well after a difficult week. We are trying to forget what happened there every day, but it’s always going to be complicated.”"
Good news, then, for NYCFC, that they get a plum home game this Friday evening. The Colorado Rapids, while having invested heavily in the squad and traditionally having been postseason contenders, are suffering a run of four losses in succession. They are a struggling, unable to adapt to the new philosophies and strategies of Anthony Hudson, but also toiling because of the stubbornness of their new manager.
This is a game that New York should be looking to win with relative ease. They are by far the superior team, even if they are themselves struggling through a slightly diminished period in contrast to their blistering start, and with their backs against the wall somewhat — a loss here would allow both Orlando City and the Red Bulls to leap above them if they can win their respective fixtures –, it is fair to expect them to come out fighting.
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If they don’t, then the mental shakings of this team that Villa eludes to will only grow. They will no longer be cracks; they will be crevasses. This is a crucial match for New York. It’s time to get right.