I’ll put it simply — despite going on a six-game unbeaten run, New York City FC have seldom looked convincing since August. They’ve won ugly 1-0 encounters with Columbus Crew. They grinded a 0-0 draw against a hapless D.C. United. They barely squeaked by an equally abysmal FC Cincinnati. And they once again went scoreless in a scrappy draw with the New England Revolution.
If anything, NYCFC has been efficient; solid. But solid doesn’t lead to trophies. And despite collecting favorable results since the MLS season formally resumed over the summer, fans had reason to have pause regarding the club’s future prospects.