NYCFC have lost 2 games on the spin in frustratingly similar fashion, losing 3-2 on the road in consecutive matches to Columbus and Miami, with critical errors leading to goals in both affairs.
NYCFC suffer their second 3-2 Defeat in a row (via FirstTouchonline.com)
And as a result, NYCFC Twitter has been a pretty gloomy place for the last few days. Questions have arisen regarding how we move on in this post-Taty era, whether or not Nick Cushing is the man for the job, and how our midfield depth may suffer with no summer signings coming to the rescue.
But I’m a positive guy, so I’m gonna try to find some reasons why New York City FC will probably be just fine moving forward this season. So, while it sucks that we lost back-to-back, here’s why I don't think it's time to panic (yet) for The Pigeons.
1) The Playoff Format is a Beautiful Thing
NYCFC finished as the 4 seed in the East en-route to their first MLS Cup victory last season. And, before Gudi’s crucial free kick at the death in Atlanta, there was serious uncertainty that we’d even feature in the post-season at all. So, despite the last few results, let's all take a DEEP breath knowing that we’re still in 3rd place with a game in hand in the Eastern Conference.
Gudi Thórarinsson celebrating the goal that sparked our 2021 MLS Cup run (Via Front Row Soccer)
And if last year taught us anything, its that all you have to do is get hot at the right time. Last year, we got STUPID hot in an instant, and rode that heatwave all the way to Portland. So for a team that went on a 9-0-3 unbeaten run just a few months ago, we should know what we’re capable of when we’re in top form. If we can find anything resembling that form again come this fall, we are still serious contenders in this league.
2) We Lost Taty, But Not Our Goalscoring Form
Yes, we’ve lost 2 games in a row…but we’ve found the back of the net 4 times in those matches. Since Taty was subbed off for the final time in the 60th minute of our July 23rd meeting with Miami, we’re averaging a goal every 60 minutes, which is not too bad considering nearly all of those minutes have been on the road against tough opponents.
Thiago and Talles Magno celebrating their goals at Miami (via NYCFC.com)
And, when we have scored, the goals have been coming from the players that we want to be scoring in Taty’s absence, with goals coming from Héber, Gabi Pereira, Talles Magno, and Thiago Adrade.
What has been an issue, however, had been keeping goals out at the other end. This has been especially true our last two affairs in which we’ve conceded six. With Callens sidelined for a number of weeks with a knee injury, and with Tinnerholm’s health being a question mark these days, I would argue our back line could pose a larger risk than the departure of our goalscoring superstar in Taty Castellanos.
3) “Next Man Up” Time
NYCFC are not unfamiliar with loosing, but ultimately replacing, top talent. In 2018, we lost manager Patrick Viera and our young phenom, Jack Harrison. In 2019, we lost our talisman in David Villa. And in 2021, we lost our star fullback in Anton Tinnerholm.
But, each time someone has stepped up, whether it was a greatly unproven Taty Castellanos or a largely unknown Tayvon Gray. As an organization that’s proven to be an ELITE generator of talent, sometimes all we’ve needed for our next star to be born is for an opportunity to arise for them.
Tayvon Gray celebrating with the MLS Cup (Via Kyle Ross - USA Today Sports)
So, even if we may struggle in the short term with Taty leaving, Keaton’s long-term absence, and Callens’ injury, maybe this just sets the stage for Thiago Martins to become an elite MLS center back, for Justin Haak to become and everyday starter, and for Talles Magno to become a true MLS Superstar. For those reasons, I’m still super pumped up about the potential of this squad, and that's why I don't think it's time to hit the panic button quite yet in The Bronx.
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