Free kicks dismantle NYCFC on Decision Day as team falls to Seattle Sounders | OneFootball

It started with the season opener against Inter Miami CF. Now, months later, New York City FC played the final match of the regular season. Like last year, it was an important Decision Day. The Pigeons had to win to ensure they would grab fourth or fifth place. They had to face Seattle Sounders FC, who is a very difficult team to beat. But things would not go the home side's way, as they lost 2-1.

Meanwhile, NYCFC had to rely on Charlotte FC, who had to draw or lose their match, for the Queens team to have a shot at a home-field advantage by getting fourth place. Of course, the loss meant Charlotte's win did not matter due to the Pigeons dropping all three points at home. However, they also had to rely on Nashville SC to ensure they did not fall into sixth place, as they did last year.

The Boys in Blue lucked out there. Nashville SC lost their match, ensuring that NYCFC stayed where they were before the game started. They will subsequently enter the first round of the playoffs in fifth place and lose out on the home-field advantage.

Additionally, Aiden O’Neill shockingly did not start after he had superb performances with Australia during the international break. The midfielder was instead on the bench, and Justin Haak and Andrés Perea started in the defensive midfield. He never made an appearance. Although that is clearly not why they lost.

NYCFC lost at home on Decision Day

The game started pretty even between the two teams. NYCFC put up a fight, but the Sounders were having more offensive possession. Of course, that increased the nerves around Citi Field.

Then, in the 25th minute, a penalty kick was awarded to the Sounders after a foul was called on Jordan Morris. Thiago Martins was accused of fouling the forward, but it went to VAR review. After review, it was determined not to be a foul, meaning that Morris clearly went down easily and tried to play the victim card.

Thankfully, the match remained 0-0, and NYCFC did not feel the negative impact that VAR has had on them way too often. Instead, that moment sparked the Boys in Blue to have more possession. However, the attacking chances, or the lack of clinical ones, left fans wanting more.

After the first half, the Queens team had just one shot on target. They did outshoot Seattle five to two, but again, most of them were lackluster. The players had to be better in the final third, especially since they entered the locker room knowing that both Charlotte and Nashville SC were winning. This pushed NYCFC into sixth place, so the pressure was on.

The boys came out of the locker room with plenty of energy, creating offensive plays in the first five minutes or so. Pascal Jansen must have said something, because the team that came out was different.

But the Sounders were not without their chances either. Martins had to be the hero a few times in the backline, and eventually the visitors grew back into the match.

Sadly, it was Morris who scored the opener in the 61st minute. The Sounders had a free kick, and Albert Rusnák sent the ball into the box. Morris made contact with the ball and headed it past Matt Freese to put his team in front.

Afterward, NYCFC increased their shots on target. They put pressure on the opposing side, but the shots, especially the three between the 67th and 69th minute, were easy saves for Stefan Frei.

Yet, NYCFC continued to fight. The players’ persistence paid off. Seattle turned the ball over, and Máximo Carrizo received the ball. The young midfielder made the run and found Julián Fernández. The Argentine subsequently maneuvered himself and found his fellow Argentine, Nicolás Fernández Mercau, and the new Designated Player took his shot. The ball deflected on target and went into the back of the goal in the 82nd minute.

Unfortunately, that fight was not enough. The Sounders had a corner kick a few minutes later, and Jackson Ragen headed the ball past Freese. Once again, the set pieces and headers beat the NYCFC goalkeeper.

In the end, that was the game. NYCFC had 14 shots and five on target, but could not score another in the second half to at least end the season in a draw.

As mentioned, the Pigeons ultimately ended the year in fifth place. However, that means the team must face Charlotte FC in the Round One Best-of-3 series. The North Carolina team has been the Boys in Blue's kryptonite in the past. Thankfully, NYCFC won the last meeting. Nevertheless, the history between the teams makes the path to the next round extremely challenging.