3 things we learned as CF Montréal draws means NYCFC will not make playoffs

Well, fans knew it was going to happen. The truth is that they just did not want it to happen at home. But alas, New York City FC is officially eliminated from postseason contention. The Boys in Blue played to a 1-1 draw with CF Montréal in what was another disappointing game.

As such, the team ended the regular season at home with a 5-6-6 record, which is a terrible and unacceptable record to have at home, even during a rough season. It is also the worst home record in club history and is undoubtedly a stain on Pascal Jansen’s tenure with the Pigeons.

And once again, this was a match in which NYCFC gave up points. They had the lead thanks to a goal from Andrés Perea after Montréal gave the ball away, thanks to goalkeeper Samsy Keita. They failed to score a second and were hanging on. However, a defensive lapse led Daniel Ríos to tie the match for his side and ensure that next week’s game against D.C. United is the last one for the Bronx side.

It was another frustrating draw, but what did we learn from the game between NYCFC and CF Montréal?

NYCFC was so close to lasting another week

As NYCFC inched closer to the final whistle, they were so close to guaranteeing that they would play on Decision Day with their fate still unknown. Yes, the belief was that, due to the teams above them in the Eastern Conference, NYCFC would not make it to the playoffs. However, fans did not want to see them eliminated during that final home match. They also wanted to see them win.

Funny enough, if they had won, then that would have been the situation, since Orlando City SC lost their game. They were so close, too, as the Queens team made it to stoppage time. However, they gave up the late goal, so the draw and the fact that the Columbus Crew won resulted in their elimination.

But hey, that fits the 2026 season’s themes of dropping points and frustration.

CF Montréal is still NYCFC’s kryptonite

Entering the game, NYCFC lost four games in a row to CF Montréal. The Pigeons used to dominate the series. Before beginning this poor run against the Canadian side, they had a 13-2-5 record. But now this has turned the page, and they are winless in the last five meetings.

What makes this poor run frustrating is that Montréal is in last place this season, and then they finished in 13th place last season. On paper, the Bronx side should have won. But instead, the team up north has turned into their kryptonite. No wonder they failed to earn three points on Saturday.

Hopefully, NYCFC will turn this poor run around. Really, any bad streak against any team is not what the Pigeons want. Sadly, that can happen in sports, especially soccer.

NYCFC’s possible final home game at Citi Field

Right now, the Bronx side might have played their final match at Citi Field. The team is currently scheduled to play at Yankee Stadium for six of their seven matches during the Sprint Season. There is a fixture that is TBD, but as of now, this might have been the final game at Citi Field.

It would not be shocking, though, if that one game does end up at the Queens baseball stadium. But for now, this might be it for the second home.

Add us as a preferred source on Google