The NYCFC positives to take away from frantic tie

On two days’ rest, NYCFC hosted FC Dallas Tuesday night.

The result — a 3-3 tie — came off the back of a “very tired” performance, in the words of coach Ronny Deila, and means New York City is now six points out of second place in the East.

NYCFC has now won one of their past five games, in no small part to the three straight matches with a red card. But a couple of droughts were broken Tuesday night, and they’re glimpses into what this team needs more consistently to reach its top level.

First, left-back Gudmundur Thórarinsson registered his first assist of the season (and created the chance that led to another). “Thor” actually has a 3.2 expected assists this season, per FBref, and ranks in MLS’ elite in that stat in the last 365 days. That means the delay for his maiden assist this season was less about his creativity and more about his teammates’ execution. Still, it’s important this team has a legitimate foil for Anton Tinnerholm on the opposite flank, and perhaps this performance can kickstart Thórarinsson a bit.

Now for Jesus Medina.

After a scorching-hot start to the season with five goals in the first seven matches, the Paraguayan has cooled off considerably, with three more goals the rest of the way. His rebound finish vs. Dallas and his cheeky backheel assist to Maxi Moralez in the first half were his first goal contributions since July.

Though Medina has actually outperformed his xG on the season, he’s too often a periphery figure in games, as evidenced by his unproductive August.

NYCFC didn’t get the win it wanted Tuesday, but Medina and Thórarinsson had individual victories of their own. They’ll need to build on those moving forward.

Red Bulls playoff hopes looking dire

After dropping points from a leading position for the third time in five games in a 2-1 loss to Columbus on Tuesday, the Red Bulls now sit on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. New York — in 11th place, is now 10 points back of seventh place with 12 matches to play.

Even bleaker, FiveThirtyEight’s projections give the team a seven-percent chance of making the postseason, the sixth-worst figure in the league.

If that prediction holds true, it will be the first time the club has missed the postseason since 2009. 

Coach Gerhard Struber has spoken many times about this being a “learning” year for the club, and that’s looking like the case for both the players and coaching staff.

The Austrian tried out a back three/five in the loss to Crew to no avail, and the Red Bulls now have one win in 11.

Struber deserves time and patience to implement his vision for the club, but that doesn’t make the current growing pains any easier for fans to swallow.