Welcome to the Hudson River Blue Roundtable, in which Arjun Ahuja, Noah Kassell-Yung, and Oliver Strand look back on New York City FC’s title-winning season.
First, let’s go way back to the start of the 2021 regular season. How did you think this year would unfold?
Arjun Ahuja: In terms of where we rank in the Eastern Conference Table, 4th sounded about right. But the beauty of MLS and is that the 4th place team had a chance to show that it was a lot better than its record.
Noah Kassell-Yung: Expectations at the beginning of every season for an NYCFC fan are high. The coaches, players, and front office are always voicing the championship aspirations of the club. But coming off another devastating playoff exit last year, paired with the previous uninspiring season of play under Ronny Deila, my expectations were low. I expected a playoff team, but not a championship-winning one.
Oliver Strand: What did I think at the start of the season? Easy: Make the playoffs, out in the first round. That’s what we do, right?
