Two positions NYCFC can improve upon this summer

The MLS Summer Transfer Window opens July 10th and teams around the league will be looking to shore up their squads for an eventual playoff push. New York City FC currently sit second place in the Eastern Conference, 6 points behind league leaders Atlanta United with 2 games in hand, but potentially could add some pieces that would see the team to the Cup Final for the first time. Since there isn’t much information on specific players the club could be looking at, we’re going to look into which positions the club could (and should) address while the transfer window is open.

A goal-scoring striker

NYCFC currently sits tied for third in goals scored this season with 35. But with David Villa’s inconsistent availability and the bulk of the scoring coming from either Villa, Tajouri-Shradi or Maxi Moralez, the Pigeons could use another weapon up top to carry the burden. Jo Inge Berget has come into his own nicely since the arrival of Dome Torrent and has bagged a few goals of his own, but he has been largely inconsistent for much of this season when it comes to scoring. Behind these players, there are 6 others with 8 goals between them. Another goal-scoring threat could be what the team needs to get over their playoff struggles.

NYCFC have no remaining DP slots — something that is usually allocated for high-caliber offensive players — so going after a high-profile/high-contract player would be a challenge for the front office. But this is City Football Group; if they want someone, they will find a way to get them.

A strong central-midfielder

With Yangel Herrera’s season ending injury, the Boys in Blue have missed his booming presence in the midfield. Ebenezer Ofori has stepped in admirably and has grown game-by-game this season, but Herrera’s ability is hard to replicate. Claudio Reyna and the front office would have a hard time finding a like-for-like replacement for Herrera but, considering the lack of depth at the central midfield position, going after another commanding presence that will challenge and win balls centrally and then effectively distribute forward would go a long way in maintaining the team’s viability down the stretch this season.

Those are the two gaps the roster currently has yet there is also a good chance that the team remains quiet and uneventful for the duration of the window, believing in the players in the clubhouse and Torrent’s leadership. This remains one of the top teams in the league, but is this the roster that will see NYCFC maker a deeper run into the playoffs then it’s previous iterations? We’ll find out.