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NYCFC: Despite solid play, NYCFC still can’t shed their rivals in race for the Shield

By John Carroll Jr.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13: Sean Johnson #1 of New York City FC directs his team on a free kick during the second half against Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The game ended 2-2. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 13: Sean Johnson #1 of New York City FC directs his team on a free kick during the second half against Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The game ended 2-2. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NYCFC is coming off yet another point at home after drawing the Vancouver Whitecaps over the weekend. However, no matter what they do they cannot pull away from their rivals in the race for Supporters’ Shield.

One of the best overall things about the MLS is how much parity it has. Despite having the same two teams in the last two MLS Cup finals, any team can show up and win on any given stage.

For NYCFC, at this moment, they are falling victim to that. The Boys in Blue are dominant at home and can scathe by on the road. They are easily one of the best three team in the league right now.

NYCFC currently sit third in the table. They are tied with their rival Red Bulls on points but trail the points per game category and even goal differential.

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The Boys in Blue are having a spectacular season despite changing their coach in the middle of the season and losing one of their best players earlier in the year.

NYCFC is in one of those not terrible, but not ideal situations where they barely control their own destiny despite being elite.

They have one more match head to head vs the Red Bulls at The Stadium in a few weekends that can help propel them over their rivals.

But even then the Red Bulls still have matches in hand.

Atlanta United, who sits atop the table, is already done playing City. Each of these squads earned two out of the possible six points in two separate draws this year.

NYCFC have respectable wins over the Red Bulls which is something they rarely do, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, and the Columbus Crew.

So, they are beating solid teams. They might even be the best home team in the league. It just does not seem to matter right now.

And this is not NYCFC’s fault at all. The New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United are playing very well too and they are good teams. However, NYCFC shot themselves in the foot big time last match week when Atlanta also tied and the Red Bulls won.

Three points could have done them wonders in a home match and would have put them in a better spot.

So, for NYCFC supporters it must feel nice to have such a great team in what could end up being their best season ever.

On the other hand, it must not feel soothing knowing that they must rely on Atlanta or RBNY plummeting down the stretch in order to earn the Shield for most points. It will come down to the little things in the end.

It is truly a three-headed monster in the East and MLS right now. It is not even really close. But right now, the story around NYCFC is how good they are and how little they have to show for it.

No matter what they do, they can’t seem to shake off the other teams in the Eastern Conference. It is all just part of the game. David Villa will get healthy, Sean Johnson will do the same.  NYCFC is a great team who just has not yet had a real chance to breakthrough.

Next. Giants initial value of OBJ is a joke. dark

Either way, they will be in it until the very end. They must just not mess up or drop too many more matches and something has got to give.

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