Well, that was fun while it lasted. After a rollercoaster of a season, New York City FC’s 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs run has come to an end, losing to the rival New York Red Bulls at Citi Field.
A wondergoal and an overall lack of cohesion from the Boys in Blue brings the season to a bitter close.
The energy inside Citi Field ahead of kickoff was palpable, with fans sprinting to their seats after the gates opened. The club brought out all the stops as well, with an incredible pre-match hype video, coupled with a massive light show to get fans fired up.
The Hudson River Derby: Playoff Edition pic.twitter.com/vCQEtR51ON
— Mark Radigan (@mark_radigan) November 23, 2024
But, just as the “Trophy Hunter” tifo dedicated to Matt Freese was ripped apart in the wind, so were the cup hopes for all those donning sky blue.
“Trophy Hunter”
A Matt Freese Tifo ahead of the Hudson River Derby (moments before being destroyed by the wind.) @HudsonRiverBlue pic.twitter.com/fe00Z4jAmt
— Mark Radigan (@mark_radigan) November 23, 2024
The 10 minutes following the first-half kickoff were shaky at best, with both sides more intent on bringing each other to the ground than getting the ball forward.
It was going to take a moment of magic to break the deadlock. Thankfully, for the Red Bulls, Felipe Carballo was thinking the same thing.
WE DID NOT FORGET ABOUT THIS FELIPE GOLAZO 🚀 pic.twitter.com/FVv0uj9k5S
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) November 23, 2024
25 yards out. No one is closing you down. Why not have a hit?
After the Red Bulls opener, the mood inside the Citi Field shifted. And with that shift came a wave of momentum for the Red Bulls. Spurred on by a fired-up and roaring supporters section in the Upper Concourse, the Red Bulls doubled their advantage in less than 10 minutes.
DANTE DOUBLES THE LEAD ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rpvykypVvy
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) November 23, 2024
An unlucky ricochet? Sure. But to leave two Red Bulls essentially unmarked at the back post is inexcusable. Yet, such has been the case so many times this season for NYCFC, with a momentary lapse in concentration costing the Boys in Blue immensely.
Beyond that, New York City FC couldn’t scrape together any clear-cut chances in the first half, outside of an audacious overhead kick from Alonso Martinez being clawed off the line.
The second half was a bit of a different story, yet the conclusion was all the same. Holding a 2-0 lead, the Red Bulls had no problem sitting back and absorbing all that Nick Cushing’s men could throw at them. Despite looking much more lively and composed in transition, seemingly nothing changed in front of goal, with chance after chance going wide, off the woodwork, or comfortably saved by Carlos Coronel in goal.
And yet, these are all things we’ve seen countless times from New York City FC this season. Before Alonso MartĂnez emerged as one of the most clinical finishers in the league, NYCFC’s lack of a clinical touch gave way to conversations on whether or not they would even make the MLS Cup Playoffs.
That said, this result shouldn’t dampen the magnitude of how this season shook out. An Eastern Conference Semifinal appearance less than two seasons into a major rebuild represents immense growth and potential for the Boys in Blue.
Yes, it stings. It hurts to get eliminated by your most hated rival. At the end of the day, it looked like the Red Bulls just wanted it more, and New York City FC will have to use that as motivation to make sure the club doesn’t feel a sting like this again for a long time.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Spot on. As I mentioned in the Forum, we’ve executed the last step of a flying transition. But it’s not complete until all the pieces are integrated. In the meantime, we were one of four teams still standing in the Eastern Conference. That tells you how good we are, and we’re only going to get better. Tough loss, especially since it’s Red Bull. But it would have been a tough loss against anyone. The good news is, we showed what we’re capable of against Tigres. Once we’re playing consistently at that level, look out.
I just can’t be comforted by the “they wanted it more” argument. That’s what makes it worse for me. There’s no question of talent on this squad…the lack of desire and cohesion is what’s troubling and reminiscent of the USMNT under Berhalter.I would take comfort in that we lost if we truly looked like we were the better team and wanted it more…but they won on the fluke chances. But we just looked off. Keaton was lazy coming back from free kicks even on ones where we didn’t give up a goal. Maxi, who showed heart, but was giving up the ball completely uncharacteristically. And our best finisher couldn’t find any finishing touch on the day.Finally…three subs used. I’m sure people will argue that the expected goal difference meant we were doing better and just needed to finish a chance but I would argue that does not meet the eye test. We had the odd chance or two but little of the end to end cohesiveness of when we are at our best. I truly am sorry to be this negative but this is what I saw on the field and with our manager. “Maybe we’ll be better next season.”