Last Friday, New York City FC II fell to Columbus Crew 2 in a 4-3 thriller that marked the team’s first loss in ten matches. That streak, which included seven wins, one penalty shootout win, and two penalty shootout losses, propelled the Baby Blues into playoff contention as the squad look to secure postseason play for the first time in team history.
NYCFC II missed the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs in heartbreaking fashion their first two years of existence. In the inaugural 2022 season, they finished with 37 points in 24 games which put them in fifth place, just one spot - and three points – outside of the postseason cutoff. In 2023, when the playoff field was increased to seven teams, the Baby Blues finished in eighth place with 41 points in 28 games. They were a mere one point off of seventh position and the playoffs.
This season NYCFC II currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with 33 points after 17 games with nine wins, four losses, four draws, and two shootout wins. As it stands, the Baby Blues are five points clear of ninth position (which is currently held by their cross-state line rival New York Red Bulls II) with nine games left in the season.
Tournament-tested team
But NYCFC II aren’t just any playoff team. When you look at their underlying numbers, the Baby Blues are promoted to contender status. Because of their deep run in the US Open Cup, when they were the farthest-advancing Division III team (and earned a $25,000 cash bonus for their success), they have three games in hand over the top teams on the table. The Baby Blues have 1.94 points per game, which places them second in the Eastern Conference and third overall in MLS NEXT Pro. If they can maintain that form through their remaining 11 games, not only will they make the playoffs for the first time, but they will be favorites to to advance in the tournaments.
That improbable US Open Cup run of wins proved that this team are well adept at punching above their weight. First, there was a convincing 0-3 away win over a more experienced and mature FC Motown. Then, there was a 4-2 home win over the Baby Bulls at Belson Stadium.
But it was the hard-fought 2-3 extra-time away win over Hartford Athletic that set this squad apart. Maximo Carrizo’s 109th-minute goal against the Divison II side sent them into the Round of 32 against USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks. They won that game 1-0, and advanced to the Round of 16 where they lost to current USL Championship Western Conference leader New Mexico United. What some dubbed a fairytale run was instead more proof of this team’s quality.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Remade squad
NYCFC II’s improvement over 2023 wasn’t necessarily expected, especially after the departure of MLS NEXT Pro golden boot-winner MD Myers. However, 2024 Superdraft selection Taylor Calheira filled MD Myers’ shoes remarkably well, registering ten goals and five assists in sixteen games. Calheira is currently just two goals off the lead for the 2024 Golden Boot.
The youngsters have also come out to play, with Maximo Carrizo, Jonathon Shore, and Andrew Baiera all registering more minutes in this campaign so far than in the whole of 2023. Oftentimes, playing the kids results in worse performances. But these three are crucial to the team’s success.
Shore has played for 778 minutes and contributed six goals — the second-most on the team. It’s a huge improvement over last season, when he contributed two goals in 622 minutes.
Carrizo also has seen his production increase, with two goals and one assist in league play, and two goals in the US Open Cup run. His performances earned him a temporary promotion to the New York City FC First Team in recent weeks, where he’s on the matchday lineup and looks to make his Major League Soccer debut soon. Baiera has anchored down the right side of an NYCFC II defense that has conceded the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference. That earned him a spot on the MLS NEXT All-Star team.
Hudson River Blue Staff
A new home
It’s important to note that it isn’t just the youngsters that have stepped up. A core group that has been together since the inaugural season includes JJ Jimenez, Samuel Owusu, Piero Elias, Alex Rando, and Ronald Arevalo all contribute heavily to the teams success.
NYCFC II will continue their push for the playoffs next Sunday, when they face off in the Hudson River Derby Jr with an away game against New York Red Bulls II on August 11 at 7 pm ET. Then they play Orlando City B away on Sunday, August 18 at 7pm ET before returning home to host Chicgao Fire FC II on Friday, August 23 — possibly playing at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. New York City donated $3 million to upgrade the grass field at the city-owned facility, and the Baby Blues are soon expected to call the stadium home.
The grandstand at Icahn Stadium has a view of the East River and the skyline of Manhattan beyond. Game there should bring an extra level of excitement as NYCFC II look to secure a playoff berth for the first time in team history.
Andrew Leigh
