NYCFC is in a dark place, but there is a silver lining on the way | OneFootball

New York City FC is not in the best place. Injuries have plagued the team since last year, but arguably, the roster is strong enough that they should have a few more wins. Notably, the players themselves are to blame for a few draws and losses, like the FC Cincinnati draw that saw them give up two goals in stoppage time.

Then, the team needs a starting striker, for nobody knows when Alonso Martínez will return. His ACL tear was back in the fall, so it is easy to believe that he might not return until the end of the current season. Nicolás Fernández Mercau has done a good job filling in for the injured striker, but the final third would be stronger with him playing next to the number nine.

There is darknes but also a silver lining for NYCFC

Still, the roster is strong enough that they could be higher than eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings. NYCFC's 5-6-4 record does not truly reflect the team on paper. But sadly, poor mistakes in the backline have led to some goals that should never have happened. The Boys in Blue have allowed too many goals, and if the worst mistakes had not occurred, then maybe the Bronx side would have anywhere from six to nine more points.

In other words, NYCFC would be anywhere from third to fifth place. The team would be in a better position, and darkness would not be following them around. Of course, Maxi Moralez's ACL rupture is just another blow to the Boys in Blue. And while the winless streak ended in Major League Soccer a few weeks ago, they did enter the World Cup break with a loss to Nashville SC.

While things look bleak, there is a silver lining. When NYCFC returns from the break, MLS will be in the middle of the secondary transfer window. The Pigeons can bring in reinforcements. Moreover, some of the injured players will hopefully be back and ready to go. So, in a way, those players will be like reinforcements as well.

Additionally, the coaching staff and use the time off to try and figure out why the team has been struggling and work through this darker period in training.

It is important, though, that fans know NYCFC is not out of competing in the 2026 MLS season. They had a good run in the U.S. Open Cup, making it to the quarterfinals. Therefore, in league play, there is a chance that the darkness goes away, and there are sunnier days ahead for the team.