Revs midfielder Carles Gil (10) fights for the ball against New York City FC midfielder Alfredo Morales (7). ( Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
There are many phrases soccer players, coaches and fans don’t want to hear.
One of the worst?
Dropped points at home.
Like it or not, New York City FC has been excelling at that.
The Cityzens have dropped eight of a possible nine points at home in the past eight days, the most recent underachieving result coming in a scoreless draw with the New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
One point gained and two points down the drain.
Add 3-1 defeats to the Philadelphia Union (at Citi Fiield) and FC Cincinnati (at the stadium) last Saturday and Wednesday, and there is a very good reason why City (4-7-5, 17 points), which climbed to the 12th spot out of 15 teams, is staring at a possible last place standing in the MLS Eastern Conference, depending on later results in the day. The fourth-place Revs (27) are 7-3-6.
City’s Luis Barraza and Djordje Petrovic added clean sheets to their season totals as the hosts were thwarted by the rival goalkeeper and the woodwork.
As if NYCFC needed more bad news, NYCFC is expected to be without two backline players for at least the next game at Real Salt Lake on Saturday, June 10. Defender Tayvon Gray was suspended by the league for allegedly using language during the loss to FC Cincy “that violates league policy,” MLS announced on Saturday. Gray cannot play while the matter is under review. Veteran center back Maxime Chanot incurred his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he must sit out that match.
And two minutes into stoppage time, outside back Braian Cufre was given his marching orders on a tackle on the Revs’ DeJuan Jones.
Not exactly the type of news that head coach Nick Cushing wants to hear after dropping more points at home.
Cushing’s team, which is winless on the road in eight contests this season (0-5-3), needs some points anywhere these days.
If Cushing’s City squad can’t do it, you have to wonder how long he will remain in charge. Remember, this is an organization, the City Football Group, which doesn’t like losing. It’s jewel in the crown won the English Premier League this past season with plenty of international honors as well. It cannot afford to have any of its reputation tarnished, including one in MLS.
