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New York City FC: A look back at the 2021 predictions

By Caitlyn Chale

CHESTER, PA - DECEMBER 05: Maximiliano Moralez #10 of New York City FC and teammates celebrate winning the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on December 05, 2021 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
CHESTER, PA - DECEMBER 05: Maximiliano Moralez #10 of New York City FC and teammates celebrate winning the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on December 05, 2021 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /
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New York City FC
PORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 11: New York City FC starting XI before a game between New York City FC and Portland Timbers at Providence Park on December 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

Prediction 2: New York City FC will finish anywhere from fourth to seventh in the East

The second bold prediction was that New York City FC would finish between fourth and seventh place in the Eastern Conference.  It was difficult to predict a clearer finish since the team said they were going to get other players as the season progressed.  Yet, they were still predicted to make the playoffs, since the top seven would move on into the postseason.

In this case, the prediction was spot on.  NYCFC finished the regular season in fourth place, and then went on their playoff run.  They signed players like Thiago and Talles Magno, and they were great additions to the squad.  While they were not regular starters this year, it is likely the two Brazilians will continue to improve, and have more opportunities in 2022.

Meanwhile, Deila had most of his starters from 2020, and thus they became more adjusted to his style of play, which was part of the prediction.  Things were surely more fluid with the play, and the confidence on the pitch continued to increase among the players.

It was also predicted that the season would be average.  Since the team played well at the end of the season, and then won the MLS Cup, 2021 was definitely more than average.  Instead, it was incredible.  Yes, the regular season could have been a little better, and ideally the team would have won more than 14 wins.

On the other hand, excluding the New England Revolution, the majority of the Eastern Conference teams were close together point-wise.  Second place through seventh was separated merely by six points, and the eighth through tenth place teams were just one to two points outside the playoffs.

Clearly, looking at the overall standings, New York City FC did well in the regular season.  Undoubtedly the fans would have preferred for the Pigeons to have done better, for New York fans will always have high expectations.  But for 2021, fourth place was ultimately pretty good.  In addition, the team went on to win the MLS Cup, so the finish means nothing in the grand scope of the season.

Oh, and as a reminder, there were some people who thought this season would be a washout, or that New York City FC would not make the playoffs.  Obviously they were entirely wrong, and the Pigeons proved they were a team that could compete.

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