New York City FC enter the final straight of the 2017 season with destiny in their own hands…
With a bye to the Eastern Conference semifinals in reach as it stands, NYC have five games left to determine our MLS Playoffs fate.
Here’s
Houston (h) 9/23
A win against Houston could all but secure at least a knockout round match at the end of October.
Hosting the Dynamo at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, NYCFC will look to bounce back from a run of two games without a win.
Standing in our way are a Houston side enduring a tricky run of four games without a victory, slipping up to San Jose Earthquakes last time out.
However, a win could elevate them back into the Western Conference qualification places, so there’s plenty on the line for both teams on Saturday.
Standings: 7th, Western Conference
NYCFC’s All-Time Record: W1, L0, D1
Top Scorer: Erick Torres, 14 goals
Last Time: Houston 0-2 NYCFC, 10/1/16
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Montreal (a) 9/27
The final midweek outing of the Regular Season takes us up to the Quebec province for a showdown with the Montreal Impact.
Carried by the goals of Ignacio Piatti and the creativity of Blerim Dzemaili, the Canadian outfit have MLS Playoffs aspirations of their own and, at the time of writing, are preparing to face off against runaway leaders, Toronto.
Montreal currently lie in seventh place in the East and can close the gap on Red Bulls to just three points with a surprise win over Greg Vanney’s side.
Standings: 7th, Eastern Conference
NYCFC’s All-Time Record: W3, L1, D2
Top Scorer: Ignacio Piatti, 15 goals
Last Time: NYCFC 1-1 Montreal, 3/18/17
Chicago (a) 9/30
The second of three consecutive road games, it’s the Windy City for NYCFC on the weekend after next.
Possibly the most crucial game remaining when it comes to determining the final standings in the Western Conference, Chicago will be desperate for revenge for the defeat that ten-man NYC inflicted upon them at Yankee Stadium in the summer.
Recovering from a little slump in August, now The Fire are on a run of two wins in their last three, including a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over DC United last time out.
Standings: 3rd, Eastern Conference
NYCFC’s All-Time Record: W3, L1, D2
Top Scorer: Nemanja Nikolic, 18 goals
Last Time: NYCFC 2-1 Chicago, 7/22/17
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New England (a) 10/15
Our final road game of the Regular Season takes place at the home of a New England side currently struggling for form and without a Head Coach after the dismissal of Jay Heaps this week.
Defeated 7-0 by Atlanta this week, it’s been a chastening run for The Revs but they’ll be targeting a strong finish to the campaign and a win against NYCFC in their final home game of the year.
Jonathan Lewis’s last-minute winning goal was the difference between the teams when they last met, so revenge will also be a motivation for the home team on October 15.
Standings: 8th, Eastern Conference
NYCFC’s All-TimeRecord: W3, L3, D2
Top Scorer: Kei Kamara, 11 goals
Last Time: NYCFC 2-1 New England, 8/20/17
Columbus (h) 10/22
Finally, it’s our last Regular Season game vs. Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium.
The teams played out a thrilling five-goal game at the MAPFRE Stadium earlier in the year when Jack Harrison and Yangel Herrera came to the fore to lift the Boys in Blue to a famous 3-2 road victory.
At the time of writing, Columbus are on a run of six games undefeated, including wins over FC Dallas, LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire, so it will not be straight forward for Patrick Vieira’s men.
Standings: 4th, Eastern Conference
NYCFC’s All-Time Record: W2, L2, D2
Top Scorer: Ola Kamara, 16 goals
Last Time: NYCFC 3-2 Columbus, 4/29/17
