Balancing continuity and cohesion against the urgent need to integrate the most new signings New York City FC has ever made in a single summer transfer window is not an easy task.
It’s a real-time chemistry experiment taking place while NYCFC’s season is on the line, and it got off to an extremely ugly start against Minnesota United FC at Citi Field. NYCFC returned from a 17-day Leagues Cup hiatus with a costly 0-2 loss to the Loons that further dimmed the team’s hopes of making a late-season run back to the MLS Cup Playoffs.
This was supposed to be a new, improved version of NYCFC, with six exciting summer signings now at head coach Nick Cushing’s disposal. Instead, the new-look NYCFC’s performance was frustratingly familiar, mirroring many of the team’s draws and losses from this months-long stretch that’s seen the team earn just two wins from their last 20 matches in all competitions.
