As we left Citi Field with a dose of euphoria on Wednesday, after New York City FC’s surprisingly capable 2-0 win over the league’s second-best squad, Orlando City, I struggled to right my brain and do the math for the Pigeons’ run of four final matches.
“It’s OK,” I told myself. “See, we have the talent despite our key injuries to Keaton Parks and Maxi Moralez. We have two more home matches — one against league doormat Toronto FC, and one against and perennially-doomed Chicago FC. We can pick up another win at DC United, and get lucky for a draw against possibly Messi-less Inter Miami in Florida.”
“Yeah, we still have Nick Cushing. But we can OVERCOME that too,” I reasoned with myself. “We can DO THIS! We can reach the 8th or 9th seed and make the play-in game in the MLS Cup Playoffs! We MIGHT EVEN HOST MESSI in that game!!”
Yes, that’s all true. Every word of it. Including the Nick Cushing part.
