The 2018 MLS Playoffs race is heating up, with just eight games of the Regular Season remaining.
Barring a spectacular collapse, NYCFC will be competing in the postseason for the third-successive year as they lie 19 points clear of New England on the other side of the line, with 24 points left to play for.
However, there is plenty still at stake for City, including the Supporters Shield and one of the byes to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
With four in the BX to come, we focus on the home clashes which could define the campaign for Dome Torrent’s Boys in Blue…
New England Revolution
Date/Time: Wednesday 9/5, 7pm
Position: 7th
Form: LLDLLL
Top Scorer: Ted Bunbury – 11 Goals
Last Time in NYC: NYCFC 2-1 New England (8/20/17)
Brad Friedel’s New England are next up at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday September 5 for the second meeting between the sides in 2018.
The two teams shared a 2-2 tie in the early weeks of this season, with Isi Tajouri-Shradi scoring twice on a cold day at the Gillette Stadium.
As it stands, Revolution are just on the other side of the Playoffs line in seventh, following a poor run of results in July and August.
With just one win in their last 11 games, the Revolution will desperate for a win to reignite hopes of clinching a Playoffs spot as they fly into New York after their home game vs. Portland on Saturday.
DC United
Date/Time: Saturday 9/8, 3pm
Position: 8th
Form: WDWWWL
Top Scorer: Yamil Asad – 9 Goals
Last Time in NYC: NYCFC 4-0 DC United (3/12/17)
Don’t be fooled by DC’s position under the Playoff line, the signing of Wayne Rooney and the move to Audi Field has provided a real shot in the arm for Ben Olsen’s side.
With four wins in their last six games, DC have games in hand on those ahead of them in the standings and have every chance of still being involved when the Regular Season wraps.
A narrow defeat to Red Bulls on Sunday provided a little setback but the Black and Red were in the game throughout and will be highly motivated for their next short trip to the Tri-State area.
Chicago Fire
Date/Time: Wednesday9/26 – 7pm
Position: 10th
Form: LLLLLD
Top Scorer: Nemanja Nikolic – 12 Goals
Last Time in NYC: NYCFC 2-1 Chicago (7/22/17)
Last time Chicago visited Yankee Stadium, we were treated to one of the best games in NYCFC’s brief history.
Down to ten players after Yangel Herrera’s sending-off on 8’, the Boys in Blue rallied thanks to a superhuman performance from David Villa on a sweltering day in the Bronx.
Villa scored the first goal of the day on 47’ before Frederic Brillant crashed home a game-clinching brave header on 50’ to win the day.
Chicago are currently on a three-and-a-half week break from action and are out in Munich for Bastian Schweinsteiger’s testimonial as they look to draw a line under a miserable eight-match winless streak.
They’re back in MLS action on 9/16 when they host Orlando City.
Philadelphia Union
Date/Time: Sunday10/28, 4.30pm
Position: 5th
Form: LWLWWW
Top Scorer: Cory Burke – 7 Goals
Last Time in NYC: NYCFC 2-1 Philadelphia (6/3/17)
Decision Day presents an opportunity for NYCFC to earn a measure of revenge on a Philadelphia team who inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Torrent’s men earlier in August.
A resurgent Philadelphia are in a good run of form of late, with three wins in their last three MLS games, moving them up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, four points behind fourth place Columbus with a game in hand.
Full Schedule
Columbus vs. NYCFC – 9/1
NYCFC vs. New England – 9/5
NYCFC vs. DC United – 9/8
Montreal vs. NYCFC – 9/22
NYCFC vs. Chicago – 9/26
Minnesota vs. NYCFC – 9/29
DC United vs. NYCFC – 10/21
NYCFC vs. Philadelphia – 10/28
